The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Food)·F-1697-2017·Announced 2017-03-29

MDS Foods Recalls Hot Pepper Cheese Due to Listeria Risk

MDS Foods Inc is recalling specific lots of Hot Pepper Cheese because a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class I, which is the highest level of recall for products that may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Plain-English summary

MDS Foods Inc is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,705.8 pounds of Hot Pepper Cheese products. The recall includes four specific product variations: Amish Classics Hot Pepper RW Square, Deli Made EZ Hot Pepper St Pk, Deli Readi Hot Pepper St Pk, and Lipari Old Tyme Hot Pepper Cheese Food EW Square. The affected products were distributed in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

The recall was initiated after a sample of the product collected by the State Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. This indicates a potential cross-contamination issue. The affected lots are identified by specific 'Best if Used by' dates ranging from February 28, 2017, to June 10, 2017, depending on the product type.

Consumers who have purchased these specific products should check their pantries for the listed UPC codes and expiration dates. If they possess the recalled items, they should discard them or return them to the place of purchase. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious illness, particularly in pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The recalled product

Product
Hot Pepper Cheese packaged as: (a) AMISH CLASSICS Hot Pepper RW Square, Item 26244, 12 lbs, UPC 858653262442 (b) Deli Made EZ Hot Pepper St Pk .5oz, Item 26555, 1.5 lbs, UPC 828653265559 (c) Deli Readi Hot Pepper St Pk 1oz Slice, Item 26831, 2 lbs, UPC 634660628788 (d) L
Manufacturer
MDS Foods Inc
Hazard

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (4)

  • Lot Numbers: (a) Best if Used by: 6/10/2017 (b) Best if Used by: 3/17/2017
  • 4/22/2017 (c) Best if Used by: 2/28/2017
  • 4/22/2017
  • 5/16/2017 (d) Best if Used by: 6/10/2017

Distribution

Distributed in 15 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 17 recalled by MDS Foods 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.

See all 17 products in this recall →