Product Recall: Fair Oaks Dairy Products Issues Voluntary Recall for Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheeses Half Pound Packages Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

FAIR OAKS, Ind., Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC, Fair Oaks, Indiana today issued a voluntary recall of certain one half pound retail packaged cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced under the Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese label and sold between September 30, 2011 and December 3, 2011.   These cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis symptoms may include fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal distress, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  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 women who are pregnant. 

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The cheeses were sold at the Fair Oaks Dairy store in Northwest Indiana, to other stores directly, and through distributors primarily in Northern and Central Indiana and Northeast Illinois.  One store in the Sulphur Springs, Texas area also has received the product.

The 1/2 lb. packages of cheese are wrapped in clear plastic with the label "Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese" and the name of the variety on the front panel of the package.   The varieties are as follows:  Asiago, Butterkase, Gouda, Aged Gouda, Smoked Gouda, Havarti, Pepper Havarti, Habanero Havarti, Onion Havarti, Veggie Havarti, Havarti Dill, Sweet Swiss, Smoked Sweet Swiss, Emmentaler, Calico, Mozzarella, Farmers, Cheese Curds, Muenster, Provolone, Lacy Swiss, Cheddar, Cheddar Mild, 1 yr. Cheddar, 2 yr. Cheddar, 3 yr. Cheddar, 4 yr. Cheddar, and 5 yr. Cheddar.   Each variety is identified on the label. There are no identifying dates or UPCs on the packages.  The recall includes gift boxes that contain any of these cheeses. 

Laboratory analysis confirmed that a four year aged Cheddar cheese marketed in one half pound packages contained Listeria monocytogenes. Fair Oaks has voluntarily recalled one half pound retail packaged cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced in its plant during the period of September 30 through November 17, 2011.  Fair Oaks has contacted the FDA and issued the recall to consumers in Illinois and Indiana.  No illnesses have been reported to date.  All remaining inventory has been quarantined and will be destroyed under FDA supervision.

Consumers who have purchased any of these products on the dates in question should return the product to the stores where they were purchased to receive a refund. Recall notices have already been sent to retail outlets that received this product.

If you are ill, or experience any symptoms of listeriosis, an infection usually caused by eating food with listeria, you should contact your physician.  According to the Indiana Department of Health, the incubation period for listeriosis is variable and ranges from 3 to 70 days, with the median incubation period being three weeks. This is particularly important if you are pregnant, diabetic, are under the age of ten years or older than 55 years or have a compromised immune system.

Consumers with questions may contact Customer Service at 847-884-000 or at 630-673-5200 if calling after 11 p.m EST.  The lines will be answered twenty four hours per day, seven days a week.    

Founded in 2004, Fair Oaks Dairy Products is a producer of dairy products, including milk, ice cream, cheese and butter based in Northwest Indiana. 

SOURCE Fair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC