Recall Roundup: Dec. 13 through 19

Editor's Note: Food recalls related to a foodborne pathogen will be featured on individual blog posts. Food recalls related to food allergens, mislabeling or other causes will be rounded up, when applicable, in a Recall Roundup blog post. For up-to-the-minute information on food recalls, follow @GaMktBulletin and @GDAFoodSafety on Twitter, and visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture's food recall website.

Recalls were issued on select lots of the following products:

Flat Creek Farm & Dairy: Aztec Cheddar with lot code 140802XAZ; Low Country Gouda with lot code 140702XAZ; Aztec Cheddar with lot code 140725XGO.
Recalled Dec. 11; potential Salmonella contamination. Read more ...

Recall: Georgia Company Removes Cheese for Potential Health Risk

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of raw milk cheese produced by Flat Creek Farm & Dairy of Swainsboro, Ga.

Routine sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture revealed the cheeses could contain Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium known to cause salmonellosis in humans and animals. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. In some cases, they are known to be severe enough to require hospitalization and can cause serious complications or death in young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

The affected products are as follows:

• Aztec Cheddar with lot code 140802XAZ
• Low Country Gouda with lot code 140702XAZ
• Aztec Cheddar with lot code 140725XGO

No illnesses have been reported to date. Flat Creek is no longer producing raw milk cheese and began gently pasteurizing its artisanal cheeses.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers who purchased these products are asked not to consume them, but to return them to the place of purchase.

Questions about this recall?

Consumers  who purchased this product can contact Flat Creek at 478-237-0123 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. 

Recall: Potential Listeria Contamination Leads to Recall

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of cheese curd products produced by Global Garlic Inc., of Miami, Fla.

Product and environmental sampling indicated the products could be contaminated with
 Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person that eats an item contaminated with it. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. The illness primarily affects pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

The affected products are as follows:

• 12-ounce packages of De Mi Pais Cuajada Fresca (Fresh Curd) with UPC code 896211002380 and best by dates of July 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014
• 12-ounce packages of De Mi Pais Cuajada Olanchana (Fresh Curd) with UPC code 896211002380 and best by dates of July 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating illnesses associated with these products.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers who purchased these products are asked not to consume them, but can return the product to the store of purchase for full refund.
Questions about this recall?

Consumers  who purchased this product can contact Global Garlic, Inc., at 305-545-6305 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. 

Recall: Listeria Risk Prompts Dairy Recall

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of Lacteos Santa Martha dairy products distributed by Oasis Brands, Inc., of Miami, Fla.

Routine sampling by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the US Food and Drug Administration demonstrated that the products could be contaminated with  Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person that eats an item contaminated with it. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. The illness primarily affects pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

The affected products are as follows:

• Queso Seco Centroamericano (Dry White Cheese), one-pound packages with UPC code 876593001874
• Queso Seco Olanchano (Dry Cheese), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000840
• Queso Secon Hondureno (Dry Cheese), 12-ounce packages with UPC code 876593001690
• Quesito Casero (Fresh Curd), 12-ounce packages with UPC code 635349000406
• My Queso (Latin Flavor Cheese), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000406
• Queso Cuzcatlan (Salvadorean Flavor Cheese), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000406
• Queso para Freir (Cheese for Frying), 12-ounc packages with UPC code 635349000758
• Queso Fresco (Fresh Cheese), 12-ounce packages with UPC code 635349000703
• Cuajada en Hoja Queso Casero Hecho a Mano (Fresh Curd), 12-ounce packages with UPC code 635349000895
• Crema Centroamericana (Soft Blend Dairy Spread), one-pound packages with UPC code 876593001898
• Mantequilla Hondurena (Honduran Style Cream), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000772
• Crema Nica (Grade A Cultured Cream), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000468
• HonduCrema Olanchana (Olanchana Style Soft Blend Dairy Spread), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000598
• Crema Guatemala (Guatemalan Style Cream), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000819
• Crema GuateLinda (Guatemalan Style Cream), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000390
• Crema Cuzcatlan (Salvadorean Style Cream), one-pound packages with UPC code 635349000444

The FDA is investigating illnesses associated with the recalled products.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them and should return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Questions about this recall?

Consumers who purchased this product can contact the company at 305-599-0225 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. EST.





To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. 

Recipe: Easy Cheese Squares

Originally published in the Oct. 30, 2013, issue

Editor’s Note: These savory, spicy bites can be eaten fresh out of the oven or cooled down in the fridge. Recipe makes approximately 25 squares.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons jalapeno peppers from a jar, seeded and chopped
16 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs, beaten

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Sprinkle chopped jalapeno peppers in a well-greased 8x8-inch baking dish. Cover with shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Pour beaten eggs evenly over cheese and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until firm.
4. Cool and cut into bite-size pieces for serving.

Recall: Georgia Cheeses Recalled for Potential Health Risk

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of two cheese varieties produced by Flat Creek Farm & Dairy of Swainsboro, Ga. Flat Creek announced on Dec. 26 that more than 100 pounds of cheeses were recalled.

The affected cheeses are Heavenly Blue and Aztec Cheddar, packaged in clear plastic and ranging in size from half-pounds to whole wheels. The recall is specific to Heavenly Blue cheeses with the lot code 130916XHB and Aztec Cheddar with the lot code 130823XAZ.

Routine sampling of the finished cheeses indicated the presence of Salmonella, a bacterium known to cause salmonellosis in humans and animals. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. In some cases, they are known to be severe enough to require hospitalization and can cause serious complications or death in young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

The cheeses were distributed in Georgia and Florida and in six online orders, which are in the process of being notified.

No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers who purchased these cheeses are urged to return them to the place of purchase. Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale.

Questions about this recall?

Consumers who purchased the recalled products can call 478-237-0123 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

 

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information.