St. Jerome cheese recalled after testing finds Listeria

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese of Austin, KY is recalling certain St. Jerome cheese because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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 via wholesale customers, retail storefronts, and through Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese website — kennyscheese.com.

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

Recalled product:

 St. Jerome cheese – batch 231129

• The cheese has been distributed in 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 ingredients listed on the top and with the lot number 231129 on a white label on the side.

As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recalled lot.

The production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased should not consume the product and are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of the product.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)