Staff writer/Black Press
A Lumby company is voluntarily recalling its cheese products due to a possible Listeria contamination.
Castle Cheese Inc. is recalling Okanagan’s Choice Cheese brand shredded cheese products from the marketplace.
Due to possible Listeria contamination, consumers should not consume the recalled products.
The affected products are shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded parmesan cheese and nacho blend (cheddar and mozzarella cheese).
“There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products,” states the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has issued the recall.
This recall was triggered by the company. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.
Consumers are urged to check to see if they have recalled products in their home, which should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
“Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” said CFIA.
Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
The products have been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.