NEWTON, IOWA – Maytag Dairy Farms is expanding its voluntary recall of “Maytag Blue” blue cheese wedges, wheels and crumbles because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The organism 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.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.
This expanded recall is of 35 lots of 1, 4 and 8 oz. wedges and 2 and 4 lb. wheels; and 43 batches of 8 oz. crumbles and 5 lb. crumbles. This includes the 5 lots and 15 recalled batches which were announced February 19, 2016 and are noted in the tables below.
The recalled product was sold through distributors, wholesalers, retail stores, restaurants, and direct mail orders nationwide between November 24, 2015 and February 11, 2016. Affected products are packaged as follows:
| Products | Lot #s |
|---|---|
| Wedges or wheels (all sizes) | 150479, 150480, 150481, 150482, 150483, 150484, 150485, 150486, 150488, 150489, 150492, 150493, 150495, 150498, 150499, 150500, 150501, 150506, 150508, 150509, 150514, 150515, 150516, 150517, 150518, 150532, 150533, 150534, 150535, 150538, 150539, 150648, 150649, 150650, 150651 |
| Product | Batch #s |
|---|---|
| Crumbles (both sizes) | 950804, 960020, 950805, 960037, 950806, 960040, 950807, 960041, 950808, 960049, 950809, 960054, 950813, 960069, 950818, 960070, 950825, 960071, 960072, 950830, 960073, 950848, 950826, 950849, 960053, 950851, 960067, 950853, 960068, 950855, 950856, 950858, 950859, 960001, 960002, 960004, 960025, 960034, 960036, 960051, 960055, 960065, 960066 |
The lot number or batch number appears on the side or the bottom of the product.
The potential for contamination was discovered after testing by the State of Iowa revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in two lots of product. Maytag Dairy Farms has voluntarily suspended production and distribution while the company collaborates with the Food and Drug Administration and the State of Iowa to determine the cause of the problem.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discard them immediately and not consume them. Customers can call Maytag Dairy Farms at 800-247-2458 or 641-791-2010 Monday – Friday 9AM-5PM CST to arrange for a refund and return of the product.
