A serious food safety alert has rocked Ohio, prompting an urgent recall of various cheeses produced by an Amish community. The recall was initiated after routine testing by state officials detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacteria that can cause severe illness.
The affected products include a range of popular cheeses such as Cheddar, Provolone, and Swiss, all bearing the ‘C.D. Candy’ licence number. The cheeses were sold in both blocks and as halves in clear plastic packaging, lacking specific lot codes, which broadens the scope of the recall.
What Are the Risks?
Infection with Listeria monocytogenes can lead to a serious illness called listeriosis. For most healthy individuals, symptoms might be mild, resembling food poisoning. However, for vulnerable groups the consequences can be dire.
These high-risk groups include:
- Pregnant women (risk of miscarriage or stillbirth)
- Older adults
- Young children
- Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or living with HIV
Symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear, making it difficult to trace, and include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
What Should Consumers Do?
The Ohio Department of Agriculture and the FDA are urging anyone who has purchased these products to take immediate action:
- Do not consume the cheese.
- Either discard the product immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Thoroughly clean any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have come into contact with the contaminated cheese to prevent cross-contamination.
Consumers with questions are advised to contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture directly. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and inform their healthcare provider about the possible Listeria exposure.
This incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous food safety protocols, even in small-scale, traditional production settings.
