Sept. 21, 2015 - Potomac, MD - Out of an abundance of caution, Picnic Gourmet Spreads is issuing a recall on their yogurt cheese spreads. These spreads could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria and typically occurs within three days to 10 weeks of consumption (usually within three weeks). Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, which can be preceded by nausea or diarrhea. Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Persons at higher risk for disease include pregnant women, newborns, elderly persons, and individuals with a weakened immune system (for example: persons with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease). Listeriosis in pregnant women may cause fever and other flu-like symptoms, which can be mild. However, because Listeria infection can cause premature labor, premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth or severe infection of newborns, it is especially important that pregnant women avoid these products.
The recall was a result of routine retail sampling by the DHMH Office of Food Protection, and subsequent analysis by the DHMH Laboratories Administration which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product.
The potentially contaminated products include Red Pepper Feta Cheese Spread, Moroccan Cilantro Cheese Spread, Tandoori Garlic Cheese spread, Herbed Goat Cheese, Parmesan Cheese Spread, and Chipotle Sage Cheese Spread.
These products were distributed to retail stores in Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. , Minnesota and Illinois and have a "Best By" date of October 6th.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with any of these products.
