PETALUMA -- Tomales Bay Foods, Inc., today said it is recalling all partial wheels of two cheeses because of possible Listeria bacterial contamination.
The recalled cheese -- totaling 133 pounds -- could be tainted with Listeria monocytogenes, a microorganism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
The diary products in question distributed to restaurants and retail stores in California, North Carolina and Florida between June 25 and July 27 of this year. The products are being recalled in full cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the company.
The recall involves Shepherd's Way and Big Woods Blue labels made between July 19--27, 2011, and Tumalo Farms Pondhopper packed on April 25 of this year.
No illnesses have been reported, and the company said it was recalling the products "due to an abundance of caution."
The bacteria were discovered during the company's routine testing and as a result of a sampling program by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company said. Only the partial wheels sold through the Tomales Bay Foods Inc. facility are affected.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Customers who have purchased either cheese are encouraged to contact the place of purchase for a full refund.
For questions, call Tomales Bay Foods Inc. at 866-249-7833, 8 a.m.--4 p.m., Monday--Friday, and mention "August cheese recall."
