CHEESE lovers are in for a rude awakening after the FDA announced a recall on popular dairy products.
The urgent recall affects several types of cheese, including Gouda, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and even quirky Dilly Pickle Jack.
This FDA recall hits mass retail stores such as Walmart and Sam’s Club (Stock Image)[/caption]
All were sold in mass retail stores such as Walmart and Sam’s Club, cafeterias, and through distributors in Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas.
The FDA said the contamination is no isolated slip, warning that it was found in both finished cheeses and on the plant’s cutting equipment.
The brand hit with this FDA recall is Middlefield Original Cheese Corp. The recalled products were produced on May 30th, 2025 and August 13th, 2025.
The products were distributed between July 7, 2025 and August 14, 2025. Products were sold through distributors, dining halls, and retail stores.
The products carry sell-by dates stretching into 2026.
Shoppers are being told to check their fridges immediately and throw out or return any recalled cheese.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
When checking fridges, the FDA warned consumers to look for Organic Gouda in 8-oz packs with sell-by dates of February 13, 2026, which is on the danger list.
So too are 5-pound loaves of Swiss, Pepper Jack, and Monterey Jack, along with shredded bags dated September 3, 2025.
Cheddar products, labeled Smoked Cheddar or All Natural Mild Cheddar, are also included.
And Sunrise Creamery’s unusual Dilly Pickle Jack has been flagged across multiple sell-by dates into next year.
HEALTH RISKS
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause severe illness or even death, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
It is especially dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms may include fever, stiff neck, headache, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
In pregnant women, infections can trigger miscarriages or stillbirths, making the threat even more alarming.
Preventing and teating Listeria Monocytogenes
- Temperature Control: Keep food at or below 40°F (4°C) to slow bacterial growth
- Cleanliness: Regularly clean and sanitize all food surfaces, utensils, and equipment
- Separation: Store ready-to-eat foods away from raw meats to prevent cross-contamination
- Cooking: Cook all raw foods, like meat and poultry, thoroughly.
- High-Risk Foods: Avoid high-risk foods like unpasteurized cheeses or refrigerated pâtés if you are in a vulnerable group (pregnant, elderly, etc.)
- Handwashing: Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Officials stressed that anyone who has eaten the recalled cheeses and feels unwell should seek medical help right away.
Doctors can test for the infection and prescribe urgent antibiotics if needed.
LEGAL RISKS
National law firms have jumped in on previous FDA recalls before, such as the popular Jessie Lord Bakery pies found at Walmart.
The pies were recalled for Yellow #5 dye, allergies to which come with major health risks.
At this stage, no lawsuits have been filed against Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op.
The FDA has strict rules for dairy producers, and violations can lead to hefty fines or even shutdown orders.
If illnesses emerge, the creamery could face not only consumer lawsuits but also potential federal enforcement.
Sam’s Club shoppers warned by FDA of urgent recall of cheese over fatal infection fears[/caption]
