2024 Cheese Recall: What Consumers Need to Know About Listeria Risk

Stay informed about the 2024 cheese recall, potential Listeria risks, and the essential food safety measures every consumer should know.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 28, 2025

Stay informed about the 2024 cheese recall, potential Listeria risks, and the essential food safety measures every consumer should know.

What to Know About the 2024 Cheese Recall Due to Listeria Concerns

In early November 2024, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a major recall notice for a variety of soft cheeses due to concerns about Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall spans several well-known brands and has especially profound implications for populations at higher risk, including pregnant people, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.

This recall is just the latest in an ongoing series of Listeria-related alerts in the U.S. in 2024, following similar actions involving frozen waffles and deli meats. Here, we break down which cheeses are impacted, why these recalls occur, potential health risks, and what consumers should do to protect themselves.

Summary Table: Key Details of the 2024 Cheese Recall

Brand/Product	Type	Weight	Best Buy Date	Stores
Aldi Emporium Selection Brie	Brie	12/8oz	12/24/2024	Aldi
La Bonne Vie Brie	Brie	6/8oz	12/24/2024	Multiple
La Bonne Vie Camembert	Camembert	6/8oz	12/24/2024	Multiple
Industrial Brie	Brie	12/8oz	12/24/2024	Multiple
Market Basket Brie	Brie	6/8oz	12/24/2024	Market Basket
Supreme Oval	Brie-style	6/7oz	12/24/2024	Multiple

Which Cheeses Are Impacted?

The recall, led by Savencia Cheese USA, includes several popular soft-ripened cheese brands available nationwide. The FDA lists seven specific products, all with a best-buy date of December 24, 2024. The cheese varieties impacted are:

Aldi Emporium Selection Brie (12/8oz)
La Bonne Vie Brie (6/8oz)
La Bonne Vie Camembert (6/8oz)
Industrial Brie (12/8oz)
Market Basket Brie (6/8oz)
Supreme Oval (7oz, 6/7oz)

Consumers who have purchased any of these cheeses are urged not to eat them. The FDA recommends either disposing of the products or returning them to the store for a refund.

Why Is Listeria Especially Concerning?

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen found naturally in soil and water that can contaminate food products. In cheese, especially soft cheeses, the combination of high moisture and pH levels provides an ideal environment for Listeria to thrive. Listeria infection, known as listeriosis, can cause serious symptoms and is potentially fatal for certain populations:

Pregnant women: Risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, or infant infection.
Infants: Susceptible to severe infection and neurological complications.
Elderly: Increased vulnerability to severe complications.
Immunocompromised: Greater risk of systemic infection, sepsis, or death.
Healthy adults: Symptoms usually mild but can include fever, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Dangers of Listeria Infection

Symptoms can appear any time from a few days to several weeks after consuming contaminated products, and may include:

High fever
Severe headache
Stiffness
Nausea
Abdominal pain and diarrhea

The FDA notes that listeriosis can be life-threatening particularly among the populations listed above.

Meet the Experts

Darin Detwiler, L.P.D. – Associate Teaching Professor of Food Policy at Northeastern University and author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions.
Barbara Kowalcyk, Ph.D. – Associate Professor and Director, Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security, George Washington University.

Both experts have emphasized the risks associated with Listeria in soft cheeses and underscored the importance of vigilance among consumers, especially those in higher-risk categories.

How Does Listeria Get Into Cheese?

Listeria typically contaminates cheese post-processing, making it challenging for manufacturers to detect before products reach the market. According to food safety experts, there are multiple pathways for contamination:

Environmental Contamination: Listeria exists in soil, water, and can enter processing facilities via raw materials.
Post-Processing Contamination: The bacteria can contaminate foods like soft cheeses, deli meats, and hot dogs after initial safety steps if equipment or surfaces are tainted.
Facility Sanitation: Listeria can survive in cold, damp environments and on factory equipment or surfaces, spreading to cheeses if proper sanitation is lacking.
Cold Storage: Unlike most pathogens, Listeria not only survives but proliferates at refrigerator temperatures.

Routine environmental testing and diligent sanitation practices are critical to minimizing the risk.

Common Causes of Listeria Cheese Recalls

Inadequate Sanitation: Poor cleaning routines allow bacteria to persist and spread during cheese production.
Cross-Contamination: Handling of multiple foods in the same facility increases the risk if hygiene protocols are not strictly followed.
Environmental Factors: Use of contaminated water and mishandling of raw milk during the early stages of cheese making can introduce Listeria.
Cold Chain Failure: Inadequate monitoring or cleaning of refrigeration units allows pathogens to thrive.

What Should Consumers Do If They Have Recalled Cheese?

If you suspect you have a recalled cheese product, follow these FDA recommendations:

Do not eat any of the listed cheeses with the affected best-buy date.
Dispose of the cheese safely to prevent accidental consumption.
Return the product to the point of purchase for a refund.
Clean your refrigerator and any utensils that may have come into contact with the cheese.

Steps for Cleaning Potential Listeria Contamination

Use hot, soapy water to clean refrigerator shelves, cutting boards, and utensils.
Sanitize surfaces with diluted bleach (one tablespoon per gallon of water).
Dispose of packaging and ensure all household members are aware of the recall.

Who Is at Highest Risk?

Pregnant women, elderly adults, young children, and immunocompromised individuals face severe risks from Listeria infection, including life-threatening complications. For these populations, extra caution—including strict avoidance of recalled products—is essential.

Recent Listeria Recalls: The Larger Picture

The 2024 cheese recall is part of a larger trend in U.S. food safety, with multiple Listeria-related recalls reported throughout the year, including frozen waffles and popular brands of deli meats. The frequency of these recalls highlights ongoing challenges in controlling bacterial contamination at every stage of food production.

While Listeria risk is highest in soft cheeses, it also threatens other ready-to-eat products. The need for continued vigilance—both by producers and consumers—remains paramount.

Preventive Measures for Listeria Cheese Recalls

Food manufacturers employ several key strategies to reduce the risk of Listeria contamination and subsequent recalls:

Enhanced Sanitation Protocols: Rigorous cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and factory surfaces.
Regular Environmental Testing: Swabbing surfaces and drains to identify Listeria hotspots and take immediate action.
Cold Chain Management: Proper refrigeration and regular cleaning of cooling equipment to deter bacterial growth.
Employee Training: Ongoing education for workers on food safety, hygiene, and contamination prevention.
Supplier Verification and Quality Control: Sourcing milk from trusted suppliers and routine ingredient testing to catch problems early.
Separation of Production Zones: Strict division between raw and finished goods to minimize cross-contamination.

These protocols, when consistently enforced, are effective in minimizing recall events and protecting public health.

What’s Next in Food Safety Regulation?

The FDA continues to monitor the food supply and update recall information as new details emerge. Recalls can originate voluntarily by producers (when contamination is detected through in-house testing) or through regulatory intervention. The long-term goal is a collaborative approach among industry, regulators, and consumers to reduce outbreaks.

For consumers, staying informed through FDA updates and exercising caution—especially for higher-risk individuals—is the best safeguard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Listeria monocytogenes?

A: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium found in soil, water, and some foods. It can lead to listeriosis, a dangerous infection, especially in vulnerable populations.

Q: Why are soft cheeses more likely to be recalled due to Listeria?

A: Soft cheeses have high moisture and pH, creating the perfect environment for Listeria to grow and survive even in refrigerated conditions.

Q: Can Listeria survive regular refrigeration?

A: Yes, Listeria thrives at refrigerator temperatures, so proper storage and regular cleaning are vital in preventing outbreaks.

Q: What symptoms should I watch for if I consumed recalled cheese?

A: Watch for fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. At-risk individuals should seek medical attention promptly.

Q: How can I protect my family from Listeria?

A: Dispose of recalled products, maintain sanitation in your kitchen and refrigerator, stay updated on FDA recall notices, and be especially careful for those at higher risk.

Conclusion: Staying Safe During the 2024 Cheese Recall

The 2024 cheese recall demonstrates ongoing challenges in food safety, especially concerning Listeria in soft cheeses. By understanding which products are affected, following expert advice, and adhering to best practices for food handling and sanitation, consumers can safeguard their health and that of their families.

Stay informed with FDA updates and don’t hesitate to consult food safety experts or your healthcare provider if you have questions or health concerns.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb