Forever Cheese Inc. is expanding their recall of Marte brand Ricotta Salata Frescolina cheese for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall now includes all of the Ricotta Salata which was imported from Italy. All lots and all production codes are recalled.
The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers, supermarkets, wholesale distributors, 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, WA between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012. The following lot/production codes can be found on the original wheel of cheese: T5086/440220, T5520/440315, T6048/440417, T6528/440519, T7012/440703, T7452/440601, T7939/440822, T8419/441003, T8899/441020, T9425/441202, T9962/441227, U1392/450126.
An outbreak of 15 Listeria illnesses in 12 states has been linked to this cheese. Pritzker Olsen has been contacted by victims in this outbreak and has filed the first lawsuit in response to the illnesses. Fred Pritzker, prominent food poisoning attorney, said, “there are most likely more victims in this outbreak, since the cheese was cut and repackaged, contaminating other soft cheeses.”
If you or anyone you know has suffered the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning, including a flu like fever and muscle aches, upset stomach, diarrhea, stiff neck, headache, or confusion, see your doctor as soon as possible.
The problem with this recall and the outbreak it is linked to is that the cheese was most likely recut and repackaged at several facilities. If you have purchased any ricotta salata or soft cheese in the past year, check with your retailer to see if it was part of this recalled cheese. For questions, call Forever Cheese at 888-930-8693 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm and mention “Recall”.
