Cheddar Cheese Recalled In CT Over Listeria Risk: FDA

A New York dairy company is recalling cheddar cheese sold in Connecticut and 11 other states because the products may be contaminated with Listeria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Family Farmstead Dairy, based in Worcester, New York, announced the recall Nov. 10. It covers the company's raw mild and raw sharp cheddar cheeses sold in 8-ounce, plastic-wrapped packages.

The affected products were distributed through retail stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Which Cheese Products Are Recalled?

The recall includes:

• Family Farmstead Raw Mild Cheddar: 8-ounce, plastic-wrapped packages with lot codes or best-by dates of Oct. 16, 2027, or earlier.
• Family Farmstead Raw Sharp Cheddar: 8-ounce, plastic-wrapped packages with lot codes or best-by dates of Oct. 16, 2027, or earlier.

The company expanded its recall following an Oct. 15 announcement involving certain raw cheddar products that may have been contaminated with two strains of E. coli.

The latest recall concerns possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Listeria poses particular risks to young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, infection can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.

Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the FDA.

What Should Consumers Do?

Consumers who purchased the affected cheese should not eat it. They can return it to the store where it was purchased or contact Family Farmstead Dairy for assistance.

The company can be reached at 607-397-4044, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by email at customerservice@familyfarmsteaddairy.com.

The FDA's Nov. 10 announcement did not specify whether any illnesses had been reported in connection with the expanded recall.

Consumers can view product photos and the full recall announcement on the FDA's website.