Losurdo Foods of Hackensack New Jersey is recalling Pecorino Romano cheese for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is no word on whether or not any illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of this product, but listeriosis, the illness caused by that bacteria, can take weeks to develop.
The recalled product is Losurdo Imported Grated Pecorino Romano, in 80 ounce (5 pound) containers. The UPC number is 0 75009 00232 4, and the lot number is 021914. The product is packaged within a black plastic bag, with 5 bags per carton.
Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so even if you kept the cheese refrigerated it should be discarded in a closed container or returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Clean out your refrigerator with a mild bleach solution to get rid of any possible bacteria.
If you ate any of this cheese, you must monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Those symptoms are flu-like, including fever, muscle aches, upset stomach, diarrhea, stiff neck, and headache. The illness can cause serious complications in pregnant women, who may only be mildly ill, but who could suffer stillbirth or miscarriage.
