Karoun Dairies Cheese Lawsuit

In September 2015, Karoun Dairies issued a recall after at least 24 people in nine states were infected with Listeria after eating soft cheese products.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had food poisoning from eating soft cheese recalled by Karoun Dairies, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Karoun Dairies Cheese Recall

September 16, 2015 — Karoun Dairies Inc. has issued a recall for a variety of soft cheese products. According to a warning from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), at least 24 people in nine states were infected, including 22 people who were hospitalized. One person in Ohio died.

Case Count by State: California (14), Colorado (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), New York (2), Ohio (1), Tennessee (1), and Washington (1).

Recalled brands of soft cheese: Karoun, Arz, Gopi, Queso Del Valle, Central Valley Creamery, and Yanni.

Items included in Karoun Dairies cheese recall:

• Ackwai
• California
• Cotija
• Farmers Goat Fresh
• Fresco
• Fresh Cheese/Panela
• Feta
• Goat Milk Feta
• Mozzarella
• Paneer
• Queso Blanco
• String Cheese
• Ani
• Nabulsi
• Yanni Grilling

Further Investigation Links Listeria to Central Valley Cheese

Investigators with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have confirmed that Central Valley Cheese supplied products to Karoun Dairies. In 2010, environmental samples from Central Valley tested positive for Listeria. The strain was very similar to the current outbreak strain. Two more samples from Central Valley tested positive for Listeria in September 2015.

What is the problem?

The CDC warns that most outbreaks of Listeria are caused by soft cheese. The problem is that Listeria is common in dairy environments and infected cows can spread the bacteria in their milk. Pasteurization kills Listeria, but unsanitary conditions can lead to cross-contamination. Soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk is 50 to 160 times more likely to cause Listeria infections, according to the CDC. Another problem is that Listeria grows even when it is in a refrigerator or a deli counter.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

The symptoms of Listeria infection usually appear within a few days or weeks of eating contaminated food. However, it can take up to 10 weeks for symptoms appear. These symptoms may include fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea, gastrointestinal symptoms, body chills, and more.

Complications of Listeriosis

Although Listeria infection is rare, it is usually a serious infection because it is highly invasive and can cause bacterial meningitis (brain inflammation) and bacteremia (blood poisoning).

The FDA warns that complications can be deadly:

“Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.”

Do I have a Karoun Dairies Cheese Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had Listeria from eating soft cheese recalled by Karoun Dairies, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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