Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, NY, has pulled its “Margie” cheese from retailers because laboratory tests of the finished product were positive for Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Federal officials report the potentially deadly bacteria was found as a result of a routine FDA inspection of the Sprout Creek Farm production facility. Consumers who have the recalled cheese in their homes should immediately through it away, according to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website.

Listeria bacteria can survive for long periods of time under a variety of conditions, so consumers should clean and sanitize storage containers, refrigerators, utensils and other objects that the cheese could have cross contaminated. 

No illnesses had been reported as of Nov. 7 when the recall notice was posted, but it can take up to 70 days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms of infection to appear. Therefore anyone who has handled or eaten any of the cheese should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks.

“Margie cheese is a soft, white rind, cow’s milk cheese. It is packaged with a green round label, wrapped in white milk paper in one pound wheels. The cheese being recalled can be identified with the lot number make date of 10-9-18 and best by dates of 12-9-18,” according to Sprout Creek Farm’s recall notice.

Because of the long shelf life of the cheese, consumers are urged to check their homes for the cheese. It was distributed to retailers in the chart below. Sprout Creek Farm operators have notified all of the retailers and is working with the FDA to make sure the cheese is no longer available to the public. The FDA is working with Sprout Creek Farm to determine the root cause of the Listeria contamination.

Founded in 1982 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, Sprout Creek Farm was originally located on the campus of the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut. The operations moved to Dutchess County, NY, in 1990, according to the recall notice.

For additional information regarding the recall, people can call Sister Margo Morris at Sprout Creek Farm 845-485-8438.

Advice to consumers
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.