An outbreak of listeriosis food poisoning has prompted Karoun Dairies, Inc., to issue a recall of several brands of soft cheeses. To date, there are at least 4 cases of listeriosis associated with eating soft cheese distributed by Karoun Dairies, according to the CDC. These 4 cases are connected to a larger outbreak involving 5 connected strains of Listeria bacteria that have sickened 24 people in 5 states: California (14), Colorado (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), New York (2), Ohio (1), Tennessee (1), and Washington (1), according to the CDC. These illnesses happened over a period of 5 years.
Our lawyers have successfully represented people who contracted listeriosis after eating cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Although there are not many cases of listeriosis in the U.S. each year, it is a devastating form of food poisoning that often causes permanent injury and wrongful death. One common and severe complication is Listeria meningitis.
Karoun Dairies, Inc. has recalled a variety of cheeses it distributes because of the risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Cases of listeriosis have been associated with consumption of cheese distributed by Karoun Dairies, but to date, no product has tested positive for Listeria.
The recalled cheeses are vacuum packed, in jars or in pails under the following brands; Karoun, Arz, Gopi, Queso Del Valle, Central Valley Creamery, Gopi, and Yanni. Weights vary from 5 ounces to 30 pounds.
The recalled cheese was sold nationwide. This recall is limited to cheese with the UPC codes in the list below. No other Karoun Dairies product is affected by this recall.
The products being recalled are listed below and were distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts and supermarkets in the U.S. Consumers can find UPC code and use by dates on each package.
Karoun Dairies Cheese Recall List
The list includes the type of cheese, sell-by date and UPC codes.
- Ackawi (1/6/2016): 7 96252 00123 9, 7 96252 01123 8, 7 96252 00325 7, 7 96252 02223 4, 7 96252 03223 3;
- California (1/5/2016): 7 96252 90030 3;
- Cotija (2/29/2016): 7 96252 80037 5, 7 96252 80036 8, 7 96252 80032 0;
- Farmers Goat Fresh (11/26/2015): 7 96252 50016 9;
Fresco (11/8/2015): 7 96252 80083 2, 7 96252 80081 8; - Fresh Cheese/Panela (12/31/2015): 7 96252 03226 4, 7 96252 03227 1, 7 96252 00227 4, 7 96252 00226 7, 7 96252 00228 1, 7 96252 00122 2, 7 96252 00126 0, 7 96252 60001 2, 7 96252 80074 0, 7 96252 22003 6, 7 96252 80070 2, 7 96252 00127 7;
- Feta (3/7/2016): 7 96252 22004 3, 7 96252 22006 7, 7 96252 22007 4, 7 96252 22005 0, 7 96252 22022 7, 7 96252 22002 9, 7 96252 11003 0, 7 96252 40003 2, 7 96252 11024 5, 7 96252 11025 2, 7 96252 22012 8, 7 96252 40025 4, 7 96252 12034 2 ;
- Goat Milk Feta (3/2/2016): 7 96252 50001 5;
- Mozzarella (1/2/2016): 7 96252 70012 5, 7 96252 70013 2, 7 96252 12014 5, 7 96252 12015 2;
- Paneer (1/7/2016): 7 96252 70008 8, 7 96252 70014 9, 7 96252 70019 4, 7 96252 70018 7;
- Queso Blanco (no sell-by date listed): 7 96252 80004 7, 7 96252 80005 4, 7 96252 80043 6;
- String Cheese (3/16/2016): 7 96252 00019 5, 7 96252 00020 1, 7 96252 00035 5, 7 96252 00015 7, 7 96252 00025 6, 7 96252 00041 6, 7 96252 00042 3, 7 96252 00040 9, 7 96252 00005 8, 7 96252 00008 9, 7 96252 00038 6, 7 96252 00028 7, 7 96252 00018 8, 7 96252 00013 3, 7 96252 00017 1, 7 96252 00016 4, 7 96252 00039 3, 7 96252 00022 5;
- Ani (1/5/2016): 7 96252 01125 2, 7 96252 00323 3;
- Nabulsi (12/29/2016): 7 96252 03225 7, 7 96252 00225 0, 7 96252 00223 6 7 96252 00125 3;
- Yanni Grilling (12/23/2016): 7 96252 90024 2, 7 96252 90029 7.
Karoun Dairies was made aware of a possible association of their cheese products with several recent cases of listeriosis by FDA and CDC. The company has ceased distribution of above cheeses and is working closely with FDA to continue to investigate the problem further.
Below is a list of listeriosis cases reported to the CDC in the last few weeks and reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report:
- Week ending September 12, 2015 – NY (2), NYC (1), OH (2);
- Wee ending September 5 – NY (1), NYC (2), OH (2), VA (1), OK (1);
- Week ending August 29 – ME (1), NY (2), OH (1), FL (4), TX (1);
- Week ending Aug 22 – FL (2), LA (1), TX (2).