Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Cheese Recall Over Listeria Risks
Learn the critical facts about the 2024 cheese recall, the dangers of Listeria, vulnerable groups, and recommendations to stay safe.
2024 Cheese Recall: Critical Information on Listeria Risks
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall alert in late 2024 for several varieties of soft cheeses, citing potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The impacted cheeses were distributed through prominent retailers, including Aldi and Market Basket, prompting widespread attention due to potential health risks to vulnerable populations.
Table of Contents
- Which Cheeses Are Affected?
- How Listeria Ends Up in Cheese
- Understanding Listeria and Listeriosis
- Groups Most at Risk from Listeria
- What to Do If You Have Recalled Cheese
- Preventing Listeria Infection
- Expert Insights on Food Safety
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cheeses Are Affected?
The 2024 cheese recall involves several soft cheeses manufactured by Savencia Cheese USA. According to the FDA’s official announcement, all impacted products bear a best-by date of 12/24/2024. Below, find a comprehensive list of affected cheeses and key product information:
| Product Name | Package Size | Best-By Date | UPC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi Emporium Selection Brie | 12/8 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10041498111325, 004149811132, 041498111328 |
| La Bonne Vie Brie | 6/8 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10820581678538 |
| La Bonne Vie Camembert | 6/8 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10820581678613 |
| 12/8 oz Industrial Brie | 12/8 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10077901005226, 077901005229 |
| Market Basket Brie | 6/8 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10049705666309, 004970566630, 049705666302 |
| Supreme Oval | 6/7 oz, 7 oz | 12/24/2024 | 10071448504211, 007144850421, 071448504214 |
Impacted cheeses were subject to regional distribution and can be identified by checking the product UPC and best-by date on the label. If you are unsure, refer to the FAQs section below for more guidance.
How Does Listeria End Up in Cheese?
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous pathogen that can contaminate food during or after processing. According to Dr. Barbara Kowalcyk, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, listeria thrives particularly well in soft cheeses due to their high moisture content. This environment provides ideal conditions for bacterial growth compared to harder, drier cheeses.
- Environmental Source: Listeria is found in soil, water, and can be introduced at any stage of the food supply chain, from farm to processing to point of sale.
- Post-Processing Contamination: Soft cheeses, like Brie and Camembert, are handled and packaged post-production, creating opportunities for contamination after pasteurization.
- Biofilm Formation: Dr. Darin Detwiler, expert in food policy, notes that listeria can form biofilms, protective layers that shield it from sanitation methods. This makes eradication challenging within manufacturing equipment and cold storage facilities.
- Cold Tolerance: Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures, allowing it to persist where many other bacteria cannot, making routine cleaning insufficient without robust protocols.
Many people consume soft cheeses without cooking, making these types of recalls especially significant. Cooking cheeses to at least 165°F kills listeria, but uncooked exposure remains a major concern.
Understanding Listeria and Listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that, when ingested, can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis is considered a rare but potentially fatal condition, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
What others are reading
- Symptoms of Listeriosis:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Outcomes: While healthy individuals may only experience flu-like symptoms, listeriosis can lead to severe complications, including bloodstream infections, meningitis, miscarriages, and stillbirths in pregnant individuals.
- Incubation Period: Symptoms of listeriosis may appear a few days to up to 30 days after consuming contaminated food.
Notably, similar listeria-related outbreaks have affected other food products in 2024, including frozen waffles and deli meats, underscoring the pathogen’s widespread risk.
Groups Most at Risk from Listeria
While listeria can affect anyone, certain groups are especially susceptible to developing severe illness. The CDC highlights the following high-risk populations:
- Pregnant people: Listeria can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe illness in newborns. Pregnant people are 10 times more likely to contract listeriosis than the general population.
- Older adults (65+ years): The immune response weakens with age, increasing vulnerability to listeriosis and its complications.
- Immunocompromised individuals: People undergoing chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, kidney disease, or on immunosuppressive medication face increased danger from listeria infection.
- Children and infants: Infants are at particular risk for invasive forms of listeriosis, though infection is rare in healthy children.
What to Do If You Have a Recalled Cheese
If you purchased any of the listed soft cheeses with the affected best-by date, it is important not to consume the product. The FDA’s advice is direct:
- Do not eat any product matching the affected description and best-by date.
- Dispose of the product by sealing it in a plastic bag and placing it in the household trash to prevent accidental consumption by people or pets.
- Return to retailer for a full refund, if preferred. Most stores have issued notices and set up procedures for returned recalled products.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces, containers, shelves, or utensils that may have come into contact with the recalled cheese with hot, soapy water.
- If you experience any symptoms of listeriosis within two months of eating a recalled product, seek prompt medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about the exposure risk.
The recall is considered precautionary: no confirmed illnesses were reported from the affected cheese at the time of the FDA announcement. However, the voluntary nature of the recall reflects the seriousness of potential contamination.
Preventing Listeria Infection: Practical Food Safety Tips
While food recalls can’t always be predicted, you can reduce your risk of listeria and other foodborne pathogens by following proven safety measures:
- Choose low-risk cheeses:
- Avoid soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and queso fresco during pregnancy or if you’re immunocompromised, unless clearly labeled as made with pasteurized milk.
- Even cheeses made with pasteurized milk can sometimes harbor listeria if contaminated after pasteurization.
- Store cheese properly:
- Refrigerate cheeses at or below 40°F (4°C) and follow use-by and best-by dates strictly.
- Avoid eating cheeses that look moldy (unless mold is an expected part of the variety), slimy, or have changed odor or color.
- Follow hygiene best practices:
- Wash hands and utensils thoroughly before and after handling cheese or any perishable food.
- Clean refrigerator shelves and storage containers regularly.
- Cook at-risk foods: If you want to consume cheese during a listeria outbreak or recall, heat it to at least 165°F to kill the bacteria.
- Stay informed: Monitor the FDA and CDC websites for up-to-date recall information.
Expert Insights on Food Safety & Listeria
Two leading food safety authorities contributed to understanding the recall and the risks of listeria:
- Darin Detwiler, L.P.D.
Associate Teaching Professor of Food Policy at Northeastern University; author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions. Dr. Detwiler explains that listeria’s ability to persist and grow in cold environments poses a unique threat compared to many other pathogens and makes eradication challenging in food production facilities. - Barbara Kowalcyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Director, Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University. Dr. Kowalcyk highlights why soft cheese is particularly vulnerable to listeria and emphasizes the importance of sound processing and post-processing hygiene to reduce risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which cheese brands are affected in the 2024 recall?
The recall includes Aldi Emporium Selection Brie, La Bonne Vie Brie and Camembert, Industrial Brie, Market Basket Brie, and Supreme Oval, all with a best-by date of December 24, 2024.
How do I identify if my cheese is part of the recall?
Check the brand, packaging size, and best-by date. Use the UPC codes listed above for confirmation. When in doubt, consult the FDA recall list or your store’s customer service desk.
What are the main symptoms of listeriosis?
Fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, stiff neck, confusion, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. The illness can be severe in pregnant people, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
What should I do if I have already consumed an affected product?
Monitor for symptoms of listeriosis for at least two months. If you are pregnant, aged 65+, or immune-compromised and develop symptoms, seek medical care immediately and inform your physician about the potential exposure.
Why are soft cheeses more frequently a concern than hard cheeses?
Soft cheeses contain more moisture and are less acidic than hard cheeses, offering a more favorable environment for listeria to grow and persist, especially if post-processing contamination occurs.
Have there been recent listeria outbreaks in other foods?
Yes, 2024 has seen multiple listeria-related recalls including frozen waffles, deli meats, and other cheese (queso fresco, cotija) outbreaks. Food safety experts recommend staying updated on recall advisories for the latest information.
Are recalled cheeses safe if cooked?
Cooking cheese to at least 165°F destroys listeria, but it is safest to avoid consuming recalled products altogether, especially among vulnerable groups.
Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Food recalls like the 2024 cheese recall serve as a vital reminder of the importance of food safety vigilance. Listeria remains a serious threat, especially to at-risk groups, but by staying alert to recall notices, understanding your risks, and practicing safe food handling, you can significantly reduce the risk of infection for yourself and your loved ones.
Additional Resources
- FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts: Check regularly for updated information.
- CDC Listeria Information: Learn more about listeria, symptoms, and tips for at-risk individuals.
- Consult your healthcare provider with specific questions regarding symptoms or if you believe you’ve been exposed to recalled products.
References
- https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a62827979/cheese-recall-2024-listeria-risk/
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savencia-cheese-usa-announces-voluntary-recall-select-soft-ripened-cheeses
- https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/soft-ripened-cheeses-recalled-because-equipment-tested-positive-for-listeria/
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cheese-02-24/index.html
- https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024
- https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/index.html
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