Staying Fit
Twenty-five brands of Brie and Camembert sold nationwide were recalled for being linked to a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. Since the recall was first announced, consumers have been cautioned about additional cheese, specifically baked Brie, for potential contamination with the bacteria.
As of Sept. 28, six people have been infected across six states, resulting in five hospitalizations. Sick people range in age from 56 to 83. Of the five people interviewed, four reported eating Brie or Camembert.
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The CDC believes the true number of sick people is likely higher because some recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. Since it takes up to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak, more victims may be added to the total.
The recalled cheese
Epidemiological, trace-back and lab data show that cheese made by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. may be contaminated with listeria and making people sick. The company chose to voluntarily recall its cheeses, which are sold under 25 brand names including Black Bear, Block & Barrel, Charmant, Cobblestone, Culinary Tour, Fredericks, Fresh Thyme, Glenview Farms, Good & Gather, Heinen’s, Joan of Arc, La Bonne Vie, Lidl, Life in Provence, Market 32, Matrie’d, Metropolitan, Prestige, Primo Taglio, Red Apple Cheese, Reny Picot, St. Randeaux, St. Rocco, Taste of Inspiration, Trader Joe. A recall notice details the full list of product names, UPC codes and stores.
The additional varieties of recalled baked Brie were sold under the brands Culinary Tour, La Bonne Vie, Lidl, Primo Taglio and Reny Picot. Additional information on these products was provided by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Best by” dates for all products range from Sept. 28 to Dec. 14, 2022.
The products were sold from Aug. 1 through Sept. 28 nationwide at supermarkets, wholesale and retail stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer, Harding’s, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Raley’s, Save Mart, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop, Fresh Thyme, Lidl, Sprouts, Athenian Foods and Whole Foods.
Anyone who purchased the recalled cheeses is urged not to consume them and to throw them away and clean any surfaces the cheese may have come in contact with. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
Customers with any questions about the recall may call Old Europe Cheese at 269-925-5003, ext. 335, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and between 2 and 4 p.m. ET.
Symptoms of a listeria infection
Listeriosis, the infection caused by eating food contaminated with the listeria bacteria, may cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in people 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women and newborns are also at risk of serious infection.
