Cricket Creek Farm of Williamstown, MA, is expanding their May 30 recall of Sophelise and Tobasi cheeses and their June 12 expanded recall of Berkshire Bloom cheese because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes to include one lot of Feta cheese because pasteurization records did not illustrate the heating element reached required temperature

To date, one hospitalization has been reported because of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Sophelise cheese. Following this customer notification of illness, products purchased by this individual were tested by Biotrax Testing Laboratory and the current batch of Sophelise cheese was determined to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. These three batches of Tobasi cheese were also determined to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The production record for the Berkshire Bloom cheese did not illustrate fully compliant temperatures for the heating element.

Sophelise, Tobasi, Feta and Berkshire Bloom cheeses were distributed in Massachusetts and New York through Wild Oats, Williamstown, MA; Provisions Williamstown, Williamstown, MA; Wells Provisions, Charlemont, MA; McEnroe Organic Farm Market, Millerton, NY; New Lebanon Farmers Market; New Lebanon, NY, at restaurants and at farmers markets.

Recalled products:

• Feta cheese with a product label of 101097 is pasteurized feta in 8 oz or 16 oz square tubs of brine with an orange label. Cheese is also sold to restaurants in vacuum sealed packaging. This batch of cheese was distributed between April 12 and April 25, 2023.
• Sophelise cheese product code: 087055 is a washed, pasteurized milk cheese with a soft rind and pinkish hue; the circular cheese measures 4 inches in diameter and roughly 1 inch tall. It is sold in semi-transparent packaging with a round blue label. Sophelise was distributed between March 29, 2023, and May 26, 2023.
• Tobasi cheese with a product label of 315, 341, 048 is a washed raw-milk cheese with an orange rind and creamy interior. When sold retail by Cricket Creek Farm, it is wrapped in clear packaging with a gray and orange label. When sold at retail stores, it is sold in small rectangular cuts. When sold wholesale, the cheese is a square format roughly 8”x8” and 1.25 inches tall. These batches of Tobasi were distributed between March 26, 2023 and May 26, 2023.
• Berkshire Bloom cheese with a product label of 076 is a camembert style, bloomy rind cheese. The circular cheese measures 4 inches in diameter and roughly 1.25 inches tall. It’s sold in a white cheese paper with blue label. This batch of cheese was distributed between April 20, 2023 and May 12, 2023. 

Consumers who have purchased the recalled cheese should not consume or distribute the product, and they are urged to return any remaining product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

about Listeria infections
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 recalled cheese 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 products 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.