Today, Fair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a voluntary recall of certain one half pound packaged cheeses and cheese gift boxes sold between September 30, 2011 and December 3, 2011. Laboratory analysis found that Fair Oaks four year aged cheddar cheese contained listeria monocytogens, a potentially deadly organism. As a precautionary measure, Fair Oaks has recalled not only its cheddar cheese but also all of its cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced in its plant from September 30, 2011 through November 17, 2011.
Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, or others with weakened immune systems. Among pregnant women, listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Healthy individuals typically suffer from short-term symptoms such as stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, high fever, and headaches. If you or someone you know is experiencing any symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your physician.
