WASHINGTON, DC — Two cheddar cheese products sold in Connecticut and 11 other states have been recalled after federal officials said they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall involves raw mild cheddar and raw sharp cheddar sold in 8-ounce plastic-wrapped packages from Family Farmstead Dairy, a Worcester, New York-based company.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the recall was announced Nov. 10 and applies to products distributed through retail stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. The company had already recalled some raw cheddar products in October over a separate concern involving E. coli.
Family Farmstead Dairy widens its recall after earlier E. coli concern
Family Farmstead Dairy expanded its recall after an Oct. 15 announcement involving certain raw cheddar products that may have been contaminated with two strains of E. coli. The newer action adds Listeria concerns to the list of food safety issues tied to the company’s cheese products.
According to the FDA, the recalled items are Family Farmstead Raw Mild Cheddar and Family Farmstead Raw Sharp Cheddar in 8-ounce packages. The company said the affected products have lot codes or best-by dates of Oct. 16, 2027, or earlier. That date range makes the recall broad enough to cover products that may still be in home refrigerators or store inventory.
The FDA’s notice did not say how the contamination may have occurred. It also did not specify whether the recalled items were tied to any illnesses as of Nov. 10.
Where the recalled cheese was sold and how buyers can identify it
The recalled cheese was distributed in a wide multistate area, with Connecticut among the states receiving the product. Other states named in the FDA announcement include New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Consumers looking at packages should check for the Family Farmstead brand, the raw mild or raw sharp cheddar product name and 8-ounce plastic wrapping. The company said the recall applies to items with lot codes or best-by dates of Oct. 16, 2027, or earlier.
Because the cheese was sold through retail stores, officials are urging shoppers to check any recently purchased dairy products before eating them. The FDA said product photos and the full recall announcement are available on its website for consumers who want to compare packaging details.
Why Listeria contamination is considered a serious food safety threat
Federal health officials warn that Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The bacterium is especially dangerous for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Pregnant women face additional risks because infection can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. The FDA also says common symptoms can include fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Those warnings make cheese recalls involving Listeria especially important for consumers who may not realize a product is unsafe until after it has been eaten. Even when no illness has been reported, public health officials advise prompt action when a product is identified in a recall notice.
What consumers should do if they bought the recalled cheddar
Anyone who purchased the affected cheese should not eat it, according to the recall notice. The FDA says consumers can return the product to the store where it was purchased or contact Family Farmstead Dairy directly for help.
The company can be reached at 607-397-4044 from Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Consumers can also email [email protected] with questions about the recall.
For shoppers who may have already opened the cheese, the safest step is to discard it rather than serve it. The recall notice encourages customers to review the packaging carefully and use the FDA’s posted photos if they need help determining whether their package is included.
FDA notice leaves illness status unclear as recall remains in effect
The FDA’s Nov. 10 announcement did not say whether anyone had gotten sick in connection with the expanded recall. That leaves open whether the action was taken as a precaution or in response to a specific complaint or test result.
What is clear is that the recall now spans two separate contamination concerns within the same company’s raw cheddar line: the earlier E. coli issue and the newer Listeria warning. Together, they put added attention on the product’s distribution chain and the need for shoppers to check dairy purchases carefully.
Consumers who think they have the recalled cheese are being told to act quickly, especially if the product was bought in one of the 12 affected states. The FDA has posted the full recall details online for further review.
Leave a Reply