Castle Importing Cotija Cheese Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Castle Importing is recalling crumbled and grated Cotija cheese due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected products were distributed to retailers in California, Ohio, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Washington, and Illinois.
The agency’s classification
FDA (Food): Class I
Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This is an FDA Class I recall, which mandates a minimum severity score of 4. The hazard is Listeria monocytogenes, a high-risk pathogen known to cause serious infection. No illnesses have been reported.
Plain-English summary
Castle Importing, Inc. is recalling crumbled and grated Cotija cheese products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness. The recalled products include crumbled Cotija available in 5.6 lbs, 7.5 lbs, 20 lbs, and 5 lbs packages, as well as grated Cotija in 20 lbs and 5 lbs packages, all produced at the Fontana, California facility (Plant #06-00333). A total of 8,886 cases were distributed.
The recalled products were distributed throughout the United States to retailers in California, Ohio, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Washington, and Illinois. Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them. Instead, consumers should return them to the place of purchase or discard them.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
The recalled product
- Product
- Crumbled Cotija Net Wt. 5.6 lbs (300/0.3oz), Net Wt. 7.5 lbs (300/0.4 oz) Fontana, CA 92336 Plant #06-00333 Classic Castle Brand Crumbled Cotija Net Wt. 20 lbs, Net Wt. 5 lbs Fontana, CA 92336 Plant #06-00333 Classic Castle Brand Grated Cotija Net Wt. 20 lbs, Net Wt. 5 lbs…
- Manufacturer
- Castle Importing, Inc.
- Category
- Food — Dairy / Cheese
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 8,886
Distribution
Part of a larger recall action
This product is one of 2 recalled by Castle Importing, Inc. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.
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