Agency classClass IOur severity:Critical FDA (Food)·F-1702-2017·Announced 2017-03-29

MDS Foods Recalls Cheddar Cheese for Listeria Contamination Risk

MDS Foods Inc is recalling various cheddar cheese products due to potential cross-contamination with Listeria monocytogenes detected in a state-collected sample.

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 5/5 (Critical).

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. 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. Additionally, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes is a high-risk pathogen.

Plain-English summary

MDS Foods Inc is voluntarily recalling approximately 37,462.8 pounds of cheddar cheese products. The recall is being conducted because a product collected by the State Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, indicating a potential cross-contamination issue. The affected products include multiple varieties of cheddar cheese under brands such as Amish Classics, Deli Made EZ, Deli Readi, Duck Deli, Madison Valley Farms, Sutters Quality Foods, and Troyer, in various package sizes and formats.

The recalled cheese was distributed in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Specific lot numbers and 'Best if Used by' dates are provided in the structured product information for each item variant.

Consumers who have purchased these products should check their pantries for the specific item numbers and dates listed in the recall notice. If found, consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious illness, particularly in pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The recalled product

Product: Cheddar Cheese packaged as: (a) AMISH CLASSICS Cheddar Mild Color, Item 28311, 10 lbs, No UPC (b) Deli Made EZ Cheddar Mild Stick, Item 28532, 4.5 lbs, no UPC (c) Deli Made EZ Cheddar Mild C St Pk .75oz Slice, Item 28545, 2 lbs, UPC 828653285458 (d) AMISH CLASSICS Deli…
Manufacturer: MDS Foods Inc
Category: Food — Cheese
Hazard: listeria
cross-contamination

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 (5)

Lot Numbers: (a) Best if Used by: 3/28/2017
4/25/2017
5/26/2017
4/22/2017 (f) Best if Used by: 2/28/2017
5/4/2017 (g) Best if Used by: 273-16 (h) Best if Used by: 004-17

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 →

Same manufacturer · MDS Foods Inc

See all →

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FDA (Food) · 2017-03-29
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Severe
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Severe
MDS Foods Recalls Provolone Cheese Due to Listeria Contamination Risk
FDA (Food) · 2017-03-29
Critical
MDS Foods Recalls Troyer Marble Cheese Due to Listeria Risk
FDA (Food) · 2017-03-29

Same hazard · listeria