Consider Bardwell, a creamery and dairy coated in West Pawlett, Vermont, is closing after some of their cheeses were recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination according to news reports. The dairy sold their handmade cheeses around the country. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these recalled products.
Two recalls were issued in September 2019 about these products. The first, posted on September 1, was directly from the farm. Three cheeses were recalled: Slyboro, Dorset, and Experience. These cheeses were sold in California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Vermont. The contamination was discovered by testing the products and the manufacturing environment.
Also on September 1, Whole Foods Dorset Cheese was recalled in response to the dairy’s recall. The Dorset cheese was sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready-to-eat products because it can cause such serious illness in certain at-risk populations. It is difficult to eradicate this pathogen from the environment if it becomes established. The bacteria flourishes in cool, wet environments and is resistant to most types of standard cleaning products. In addition, Listeria bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, and freezing doesn’t kill it.
There have been many recalls of cheeses for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the past several years. In fact, public health officials tell people who are susceptible to this pathogen, including pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, to avoid soft cheeses, cheese made with raw milk, and deli cheeses for this reason.
