Recall of Ricotta Linked to Listeria Outbreak Expands

The New York-based importer that recalled its ricotta cheese earlier this month after the product was linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak has expanded its recall to include all lots of the cheese distributed between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012.  The cheese subject to this now-expanded recall was sold to distributors who then sold the product to retailers and restaurants in AL, CA, CO, CT, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA and WA between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012. Products were sold by Forever Cheese to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors.  The affected cheese was imported from Italy.  The expanded recall includes all lots and all production codes. The following lots/production codes may be found on the original wheel: T5086/440220, T5520/440315, T6048/440417, T6528/440519, T7012/440703, T7452/440601, T7939/440822, T8419/441003, T8899/441020, T9425/441202, T9962/441227, U1392/450126. The company warns that the cheese may have been cut or repacked before being sold and may not have been relabeled. If the product was relabeled, consumers may not be able to identify it. Because of this, "Each and every distributor and retailer are being contacted in an effort to recall any and all remaining product in the marketplace," says the company in its recall announcement. Those who have purchased any of the recalled cheese are urged to contact  their distributor or retailer for a full refund. Anyone with questions can call Jeff DiMeo at Forever Cheese at 888-930-8693 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday EST and mention "recall."