RECALL UPDATE : Cheese Recall Update as Aldi and Other Brands Impacted by Listeria Risk
According to Newsweek , Savencia Cheese USA has expanded its voluntary recall of soft cheeses after discovering potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes in processing equipment at its facility in Lena, Illinois. The latest addition to the recall is Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, bringing the total number of affected products to seven.
The recall was initiated after routine testing identified the possible contamination, although no contaminated products were found through finished product testing. The company has taken precautions to retrieve the potentially affected cheeses. The recall affects a small number of soft-ripened cheeses distributed to select retail partners in 12 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported no illnesses related to the recalled cheeses. However, listeria is a serious foodborne pathogen that can cause severe infections, particularly in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, elderly individuals, young children, and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, Listeria infection can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or infection in the newborn.
Most healthy people infected with listeria experience mild symptoms of food poisoning, including high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., causing an estimated 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In addition to Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, other affected cheeses include Aldi Emporium Selection Brie, La Bonne Vie Brie, La Bonne Vie Camembert, Industrial Brie, Market Basket Brie, and Supreme Oval. All products have a best-by date of December 24, 2024, except for the newly added Glenview Farms product, which has a best-by date of January 13, 2025.
Consumers are advised to discard any affected products and monitor for symptoms of listeriosis, particularly if they belong to a high-risk group.
