Pennsylvania-based food producer Savencia Cheese is voluntarily recalling several of its products after routine testing found traces of Listeria monocytogenes.
"Through routine testing, it was identified that processing equipment at the site may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes," a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website reads. "While finished product testing has not identified contaminated product, we have initiated a voluntary recall to retrieve the potentially affected product."
The following products are subject to the recall:
- Emporium Selection Brie, 12/8oz Brie.
- Supreme Oval 7oz, 6/7oz.
- La Bonne Vie Brie, 6/8oz.
- La Bonne Vie Camembert.
- 12/8oz Industrial Brie.
- Marketbasket Brie 6/8oz.
Each impacted product has a best-by date of December 24, 2024. According to the FDA release, they were subject to limited regional distribution in the U.S. "The few retailers that received the product have been informed of this possible contamination and are in the process of removing products from shelves," the FDA release reads.
Newsweek has contacted Savencia Cheese for clarification on which retailers and locations are impacted via email outside of regular working hours.
"Listeria is particularly dangerous as it can survive in refrigerators and freezers, and infected foods may not look, smell or taste different," Michelle Anstey, a food safety expert from the National Sanitation Foundation, a public health and safety organization, previously told Newsweek. "When contaminated food is handled, illness can spread through human touch and lack of sanitation."
Symptoms of a listeria infection can begin days or weeks after exposure to the bacteria. These include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and aching muscles. While the symptoms are unpleasant, most healthy people make a full recovery.
For the elderly, children and those with compromised immune systems, the disease can have life-threatening consequences. It has also been linked to causing stillbirths in pregnant women.
A more severe infection can lead to symptoms such as headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, and seizures, and needs to be treated by medical professionals.
"These foodborne illnesses are dangerous in that they can have severe health impacts on people, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever and, in severe cases, brain infections and blood infections," Anstey added. "They can be especially dangerous for those who are immunocompromised, including pregnant women, children and older adults."
As of the FDA notice issued on November 4, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse health events.
Anyone who has purchased the Savencia Cheese products is urged not to consume them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with queries regarding the recall can contact Consumer Relations at (800)-322-2743 or email sc.customer.service@savencia.com.
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