January 6, 2015 — Bleating Heart Cheeses, a supplier of raw milk cheese to Whole Foods grocery stores, has issued a recall after finding Listeria in some samples. No illnesses have been reported.
Recalls were issued in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Raw milk cheeses are generally more likely to cause food poisoning because pasteurization kills Listeria.
Another problem is that Listeria can grow under refrigeration temperatures, such as a cheese counter. The bacteria can also cross-contaminate other foods on cutting boards, utensils, and in storage.
Bleating Heart cheeses were sold for about $30-50 per pound, cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap, and marked with the “Whole Foods” label. All sell-by dates up to and including January 20, 2015 have been recalled, including:
- Shepardista, PLU# 254704
- Goldette Tommette, PLU# 250302
- Fat Bottom girl, PLU# 254705
- Ewelicious, PLU# 299784
- Mixtress, PLU# 299785
- Moolicious, PLU# 299648
Bleating Heart also expanded the recall (PDF) to include cheeses distributed in Pennsylvania and California that were produced between February 14-September 19, 2014.
Recalled cheeses include:
- “Buff Ewe Blue” and “Buff Blue” – natural rind, blue-style cheese, aged 3 – 4 months
- “Double Down Blue” – natural rind, blue-style cheese, aged 3 – 4 months with a double heart imprint on the rind
- “Ewelicious Blue” – natural rind, blue-style cheese, aged 2 – 3 months
- “Fat Bottom Girl”- natural rind, aged 2 – 3 months
- “Funky Beats” – washed rind, aged 2-3 months. Note: this cheese has been sold out for some time and is not likely to be in the market place
- “Goldette Tommette”- natural rind, aged 2 – 3 months
- “Mixtress” – natural rind, aged 2 – 3 months
- “Moolicious Blue”- natural rind blue-style cheese, aged 3-4 months
- “Shepherdista” – natural rind, aged 2-3 months
Listeriosis is a rare but serious type of food poisoning that is caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which is found in soil. This illness is often life-threatening for people with weak immune systems, young children, older adults, and fetuses of pregnant women.
Do I have a Whole Foods Cheese Recall Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting raw milk cheese induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with listeriosis, 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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