A nationwide recall for various brands of cheese has been issued due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
According to a food recall warning posted to Health Canada Wednesday, the following products from Farm Boy, L’Ancêtre and Life Smart have been recalled from the marketplace:
- Farm Boy Organic Swiss Cheese – 190 g
- Farm Boy Organic Medium Cheddar Cheese – 200 g
- Farm Boy Organic Old Cheddar Cheese – 200 g
- Farm Boy Organic Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese – 200 g
- Farm Boy Organic 3-Year-Old Cheddar Cheese – 195 g
- L’Ancêtre Organic Swiss Cheese – 200 g
- L’Ancêtre Organic Cheddar Cheese - Shredded Old – 2 kg
- L’Ancêtre Organic Mozza - Cheddar Shredded Cheese Blend – 200 g
- L’Ancêtre Organic Mozzarella Cheese - Shredded Partially Skimmed – 1 kg
- L’Ancêtre Organic Swiss Cheese - Shredded – 1 kg
- L’Ancêtre Organic Cheddar Cheese - Shredded Medium - 2 kg
- Life Smart Organic Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese - 200 g
“There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products,” the recall said.
The federal agency advised customers to check if they are in possession of the recalled products and not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute them. Instead, customers are being asked to discard or return the recalled products to the location of purchase.
“Food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” the recall notice said. “Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.”
The notice also warned that pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are “particularly at risk.”
“Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth,” the recall read. “In severe cases of illness, people may die.”
The recall was triggered due to test results by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and a food safety investigation is underway which could lead to more recalls, the notice said. The CFIA is also verifying that all recalled products are being removed from the marketplace.
