ALL Estrella Cheeses Put Consumers at Risk for Listeria Monocytogenes

[Missouriwatcher]

"February 11, 2010 - The Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Washington, is recalling its Red Darla cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems...

Red Darla cheese was sold in January 2010 through February 11, 2010 at the Ballard and Seattle?s U-District farmer's markets, two Seattle restaurants, retail stores in the Seattle-Tacoma area, and the firm?s retail store in Montesano, Washington; a retail market in San Francisco, California; and a cheese shop in Springfield, New Jersey.

The recalled cheese is a soft cheese, 3/4 lb wheel, made of cow milk and washed in red wine while aging. The product does not contain a lot code.

No illnesses in connection with this product have been reported to date..."

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm200215.htm

[Missouriwatcher]

ALL Estrella Cheeses Put Consumers at Risk for Listeria Monocytogenes

Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, WA is recalling Brewleggio, Domino, and Wynoochee River Blue cheeses because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The products were sold to restaurants and cheese shops in WA, OR, and NJ.

The Domino cheese is a one pound, natural rind wheel made from cow?s milk. The Brewleggio cheese is a soft washed rind cow?s milk wheel 8" wide by 2" tall, weighing approximately 3 pounds. The Wynoochee River Blue Cheese is a 5 pound wheel with a rustic natural rind, blue veined. The products are not coded.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall, which initially included Red Darla cheese, has now been expanded to include Domino Cheese that also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Brewleggio and Wynoochee River Blue cheeses are also being included in the expanded recall because they were aged in the same room as the Domino cheese. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the products as the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm200794.htm?s_cid=w_c_sms_cont_001

[Missouriwatcher]

ALL Estrella Cheeses Put Consumers at Risk for Listeria Monocytogenes

Fast Facts

* This advisory affects all lots of Estrella Family Creamery cheeses, including cheeses identified as soft, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard.
* The cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) and may cause serious illness.
* L. mono is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
* Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
* Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
* Consumers who have the cheeses should throw them away.
* Consumers with symptoms of Listeria should consult their health care professionals.

Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes.

While a complete product list is not available, some of the varieties that have been produced by Estrella include:
* Black Creek Buttery
* Dominoes
* Guapier
* Grisdale Goat
* Subblime
* Partly Sunny
* Wynoochee River Blue
* Caldwell Crik Chevrette
* Old Apple Tree Tomme
* Valentina
* Vineyard Tomme
* Brewleggio
* Red Darla
* Repos?e
* Bea Truffled
* Jalape?o Buttery
* Weebles

Where is it Distributed?
Estrella cheeses are sold at specialty cheese shops, farmers markets, the company?s farm store in Montesano, Wash., and through the internet. The company also sells to restaurants and takes part in cheese contests where its products are sold.

What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA will continue its investigation, working with state and local officials, and will consider taking any further action that may be necessary.

Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers who have experienced symptoms of illness from the consumption of Estrella cheeses should contact their health care professionals.

Consumers may also contact their local FDA complaint coordinator in their state or call 888-INFO-FDA to report problems or illnesses related to the cheese.

The information in this press release reflects FDA?s best efforts to communicate what the manufacturer has reported to FDA.

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm224990.htm?s_cid=w_c_sms_cont_001

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: ALL Estrella Cheeses Put Consumers at Risk for Listeria Monocytogenes

UPDATE: On Oct. 22, 2010, the United States Marshals Service seized all cheeses, including in-process and finished products (labeled and unlabeled), held on the premises of the Estrella Family Creamery, pursuant to a warrant issued by Judge Benjamin H. Settle on Oct. 21, 2010. Judge Settle issued this warrant at the request of the United States Attorney?s Office for the Western District of Washington, which filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging that cheese and other articles of food held at Estrella Family Creamery are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they have been held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health...

Consumers who have the cheeses should throw them away...

Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes...

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm224990.htm