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Sweetwater Valley Farm Cheese Recalled Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

Yet another Listeria recall this month. Sweetwater Valley Farm, Inc. of Philadelphia, Tennessee has recalled Tennessee Aged Black Pepper Cheese.  The recalled Tennessee Aged Black Pepper Cheese is Lot Number 616-361 (consumers check the lot number on your Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese to see if it is part of the recall). The recalled cheese was distributed in 5, 7, and 10 ounce bars through The Sweetwater Valley Farm retail store in Philadelphia, Tennessee and a Winery in Portland, Tennessee. 

Although less than 100 pounds of recalled cheese was distributed, this is still a serious recall. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious injury or death, and it is particularly dangerous for the elderly, the immunocompromised and unborn children. Many of the documented cases of Listeria involve pregnant women who have lost an unborn child (or newly born child) who was infected with the pathogen.  Read about Listeria miscarriage.

The recalled Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese was distributed between December 27, 2007 and May 12, 2008. No illnesses have been reported, which does not mean that no one has been sickened or that no one will become sickened. CDC estimates that most cases of Listeria are not reported. Also, the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, making finding the source of a case of listeriosis (Listeria infection) extremely difficult.   

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the distribution of this lot as the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on May 15, 2008 (boomark / email).