Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese of Austin, Kentucky is recalling certain St. Jerome cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Kentucky Department of Public Health revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a package of St. Jerome batch 231129.
The recalled St. Jerome cheese was distributed through wholesale customers, storefronts and through Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese website – kennyscheese.com.
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of a Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about possible exposure to Listeria.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to preterm labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
Recalled product:
St. Jerome cheese – batch 231129
- The cheese is divided into two sizes: an 8-ounce wedge in a clear plastic package, and a full 15-pound wheel in a clear plastic package, marked with a logo sticker with the ingredients listed on the top and with the lot number 231129 on a white label on the side.
At the time this recall was issued, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recalled lot.
Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue to investigate the cause of the problem.
Consumers who have purchased the product should not consume the product and are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard the product.
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