Ten days after Maryland health officials issued a warning about Picnic Gourmet Spreads, the company issued a recall for possible contamination with Listeria. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with any of these products.
Listeria bacteria can cause a serious, sometimes fatal infection called listeriosis. Symptoms can take up to 70 days after exposure to develop. They include: fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, which can be preceded by nausea or diarrhea.
Those most at risk for disease include pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Among pregnant women, listeriosis can cause fever and other flu-like symptoms.
The potentially contaminated products include Red Pepper Feta Cheese Spread, Moroccan Cilantro Cheese Spread, Tandoori Garlic Cheese spread, Herbed Goat Cheese, Parmesan Cheese Spread, and Chipotle Sage Cheese Spread.
They were distributed to retail stores in Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. , Minnesota and Illinois and have a “Best By” date of October 6th.
