Benton Harbor-based Old Europe Cheese has announced a voluntary recall of its Brie and Camembert cheeses due to potential contamination with Listeria, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.
According to the FDA, the action was triggered after an audit of product samples and of the company’s facilities. None of the products showed contamination, but one of the facilities’ samples tested positive. The strain from that positive case has been linked to six cases of Listeriosis dating from 2017 to 2022.
These cases were not previously linked to this company’s products, but Old Europe Cheese decided to do this voluntary recall in order to avoid any risk to their customers.
“We are working closely with state and federal authorities and with our clients to make this voluntary recall as fast and efficient as possible,” the company said, in a press release. “The quality and safety of our products is our number one priority. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this situation. Old Europe Cheese’s top priority is the health of our customers.”
All Old Europe Cheese Brie and Camembert products with best by dates through Dec. 14 are subject to the voluntary recall. The products were distributed from Aug. 1 through Sept. 28. and were available at stores throughout the U.S. and Mexico, including Harding’s and Meijer.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Consumers who have purchased the products are urged not to consume it and discard the product. The FDA says in these cases that anyone who purchased or received any recalled products to use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
The Company said the source of potential contamination has been identified and Old Europe Cheese is taking active measures to eliminate it. Production of these products has been stopped and will not restart until the Company has full confidence in the effectivity of the applied measures.
Old Europe Cheese has set up a telephone line – 269-925-5003 ext. 335 – to answer questions about the recall. The line is open and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
