Cheddar cheese products sold in 12 states are being recalled due to possible listeria contamination.
Family Farmstead Dairy is recalling all of its raw cheddar cheese products with expiration dates on or before Oct. 16, 2027, due to possible contamination, according to a recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
"Family Farmstead Dairy appreciates the cooperation of its distributors, retailers, and customers and apologizes for any inconvenience this action may cause," the company said in the recall announcement. "The company remains committed to producing safe, high-quality dairy products and maintaining the trust of the communities it serves."
The cheese was sold and distributed to retail stores in 12 states,
including New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and others.
Listeria could cause serious infections, which can sometimes be fatal, especially in pregnant or elderly people, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.
The recall announcement does not state whether any illnesses or incidents linked to the possible contamination were reported, nor does it list which retailers sold the recalled cheese. USA TODAY has contacted Family Farmstead Dairy for more information.
The recall comes nearly a month after the company previously recalled raw cheddar products because they may have been contaminated with two strains of E. coli, USA TODAY previously reported.
Here's what to know.
Which products are being recalled?
The following products are included in the recall, according to the FDA notice:
- 8oz, plastic-wrapped Raw Mild Cheddar
- 8oz, plastic-wrapped Raw Sharp Cheddar
All lot codes that have a best-by date on or before Oct. 16, 2027, are included in the recall. No other products are included in the November recall.
Where was the recalled cheese sold?
The recalled products were distributed in the following states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Can't see the map? Click here.
Family Farmstead Dairy's previous recall
On Oct. 15, the FDA posted an earlier recall announcement warning consumers that the company's cheese could have been contaminated with two strains of E. coli, USA TODAY previously reported.
The cheese was distributed to grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. However, the recalled cheese could have been distributed to stores in other states through distributors.
The October recall included Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese with the lot code 7/22/27 and a best-by date of July 22, 2027.
No illnesses or reactions were reported related to the recall.
What should consumers do if they purchased any of the recalled products?
People who bought any of the recalled products should not consume them and can return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Anyone who has questions or requires additional assistance can email Family Farmstead Dairy at customerservice@familyfarmsteaddairy.com or call the company at 607-397-4044
What are the symptoms of listeria infection?
According to the recall notice, symptoms of listeria may include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Healthy people may experience only short-term illness, but listeria can cause serious infections in vulnerable groups.
Who is most at risk?
People at the highest risk of severe illness include:
- Pregnant people and their unborn or newborn babies
- Adults 65 and older
- People with weakened immune systems, including transplant recipients and people with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and autoimmune diseases
Listeria infections during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infections in newborns.
What is raw milk cheese?
Raw milk cheese is made from milk that has not been pasteurized, a heating process that kills many disease-causing germs. Raw milk products can carry harmful bacteria, and the FDA recommends choosing pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Contributing: Anthony Thompson, USA TODAY
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cheddar cheese sold in 12 states recalled. See impacted products
