Worcester, New York: Family Farmstead Dairy Recalls All Cheddar Cheese in 12 States Over Possible Listeria

Family Farmstead Dairy of Worcester, New York, is recalling all of its cheddar cheese products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a company announcement the Food and Drug Administration posted on November 10.

The recall covers the dairy's Raw Mild Cheddar and Raw Sharp Cheddar, sold in 8-ounce plastic-wrapped blocks. Every package with a lot code dated October 16, 2027 or earlier is included. The lot code is the best-by date printed on the back label.

Where the cheese was sold

The cheese went to retail stores in 12 states: New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems, the FDA said. In healthy people it most often causes short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

The recall announcement does not say whether any illnesses have been reported in connection with the cheese, and it does not say how the possible contamination was found. It also does not name the stores that sold the cheese or say how many packages were distributed.

Second recall at the same dairy in a month

The November recall follows an October 15 recall at the same dairy. That action covered certain raw cheddar products, including a lot of Raw Mild Cheddar dated July 22, 2027, because of possible contamination with two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, identified as O26:H11 and O45:H2. No illnesses were reported in connection with the October recall.

The new recall is wider. It covers both cheddar varieties instead of one, every lot dated October 16, 2027 or earlier instead of a single lot, and it names a different bacterium. Because aged cheddar keeps for a long time, blocks covered by the recall could still be sitting in home refrigerators months from now.

What to do

People who bought the recalled cheese should not eat it. The company said the cheese can be returned to the place of purchase. Family Farmstead Dairy can be reached at (607) 397-4044, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by email at [email protected].

Anyone who ate the cheese and develops fever and flu-like symptoms should contact a doctor and mention the possible Listeria exposure, especially if they are pregnant, older, or have a weakened immune system.