New Multistate Listeria Outbreak Triggers Cheese Recall

A new Listeria outbreak reportedly involving at least 14 reported illnesses in 11 states may be related to a brand of cheese called Ricotta Salata Frescolina made by Long Island Forever Cheese, Inc. The New York-company late Monday said it recalled Forever Cheese lot T9425 and/or production code 441202 from one specific production date because of possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination related to the outbreak. The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in CA, CO, Washington D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA and WA between June 20 and August 9, 2012.   Products were sold to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors. The company did not release the distribution list. The cheese in question is from one production date coded 441202 on the original wheel. The potential for contamination was noted after illness was reported in connection with eating cheese. The company said every distributor and retailer who purchased the cheese is being contacted in an effort to recall any and all remaining product in the marketplace.   Anyone who purchased any of the recalled cheese should contact the  distributor or retailer for a full refund.  Anyone with questions can call Forever Cheese at 888-930-8693 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST and ask for Jeff DiMeo.  © Food Safety News More Headlines from Food Recalls »