Soft ripened cheese sold in retail locations, including Aldi and Market Basket, is being recalled due to potential listeria contamination linked to production equipment at a facility in Illinois. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall on Friday, which affects products from Savencia Cheese USA, a manufacturer based in Pennsylvania.
Investigators found listeria, a harmful bacterium, in the equipment used to produce cheese at the company’s facility in Lena, Illinois. The recall includes various items such as Emporium Selection Brie, La Bonne Vie Brie, La Bonne Vie Camembert, and Market Basket Brie. Aldi specifically noted that the affected products have a “best by” date of December 24 and stated that the recall was made “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure product safety.
Additionally, the FDA has reported a separate recall involving turkey sandwiches made by CIBUS Fresh, which contained the contaminated Brie. This highlights the widespread impact of the cheese recall and the need for vigilance in food safety.
These affected products were removed from shelves in six states, including Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. This recall is part of a larger pattern of food safety concerns that have emerged recently. For example, last month, McDonald’s temporarily halted the sale of Quarter Pounder sandwiches across ten states due to E. coli contamination from onions, which has sickened at least 75 individuals, with some requiring hospitalization.
The current environment reflects ongoing challenges regarding food safety, underscoring the importance of regulatory oversight and industry diligence. With at least ten confirmed deaths and numerous hospitalizations linked to various foodborne outbreaks, the situation remains critical.
Although food recalls can cause concern among consumers, they also serve as a reminder of the strict safety standards employed in the industry. Companies are taking proactive measures to protect public health, as evidenced by Aldi’s and the FDA’s swift actions. Consumers are encouraged to remain informed and check for any recalls on products they have purchased, ensuring that food safety remains a top priority in their households.