The California Department of Public Health is warning the public not to eat cashew cheese products made by The Cultured Kitchen because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Fifteen cases of illness have been reported that are associated with this product. Twelve cases have occurred in California. Three people have been hospitalized as a result of their illness.
The recalled products include Habanero Cilantro Lime Cashew Cheese, Pesto or Basil Pesto Cashew Cheese, Smoked Cheddar Cashew Cheese, Herb Cashew Cheese, White Cheddar Cashew Cheese, and Pepper Jack Cashew Cheese. You can see pictures of the recalled products at the CDPH web site.
The cheeses have expiration dates on or before April 19, 2014. The products are in eight-ounce plastic containers. They were sold in natural food stores throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada, and at farmers markets in Sacramento County.
The products are no longer being sold at retail facilities, but people may still have the products in their homes. If you purchased these products, discard them in a sealed container or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
The symptoms of salmonellosis, the illness caused by the Salmonella bacteria, include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, chills, fever, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool. Symptoms usually appear six to seventy-two hours after exposure. If you have been ill after eating these products, consult your healthcare provider. If you see any of these products for sale, call the CDPH complaint line at 1-800-495-3232.
