Listeria Contamination Prompts Whole Foods Recall
Because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Whole Foods Market has recalled Papillon
Organic Roquefort cheese from its stores nationwide.
The listeria contamination was discovered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through routine sampling of the cheese. The found listeria bacteria in an uncut wheel of the cheese, prompting the recall by Whole Foods, Hoop News reports.
Whole Foods says the recalled cheese was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and labeled with the Whole Foods Market scale label that starts with the number PLU 029536. All batches of the Papillon Roquefort for all sales dates have been recalled. Whole Foods has removed the cheese from store shelves and posted signs advising customers about the recall. To date, no one has reported becoming sick after consuming the cheese
Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause muscle stiffness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, high fever, and acute headaches. In severe case it can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, septicemia, endocarditis, miscarriage, and stillbirths. An individual can start to show symptoms anywhere from two to 60 days after ingesting contaminated food, which makes it difficult for health officials to track infections.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections “in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Healthy individuals usually suffer only short-term symptoms but in rare instances, persons outside these high-risk groups can be seriously affected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the risk may be reduced by carefully following recommendations for safe food preparation, consumption, and storage. The CDC advises consumers who dispose of the cheese to make sure it will not be eaten by anyone else.
Consumers who have purchased Papillon Organic Roquefort cheese from any Whole Foods store may bring their receipt to the store for a full refund. Those with questions about the recall should contact their local store or call Whole Foods at 512-477-5566, ext. 20060 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.
