Fifth Town Artisan Cheese issues recall on cheese contaminated with Listeria bacteria

Canada-based Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. is recalling all Lots of its Rose Haus Cave Aged Washed Rind Cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

According to information from the Canadian Food Insepction Agency, the company is voluntarily recalling all Best Before dates of the product. The recalled cheese has a Lot Code of 400411. The product was distributed in Ontario province in Canada.
The company says no reports of illness have been linked to the consumption of this cheese.

Listeria poisoning is one of the most serious forms of food poisoning and can result in stillbirths and miscarriages among pregnant women. Symptoms of Listeria poisoning affect the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems the most seriously.

Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely to contract Listeria poisoning if they consume affected foods.

Soft cheeses and raw milk products are often sources of Listeria bacteria. These products have not been pasteurized and therefore the harmful bacteria is not killed through that heating process if it’s present in the food.

People who consume food contaminated with Listeria bacteria may experience mild flu-like symptoms which can develop into more serious conditions if not treated. Liseteria poisoning has also been linked to meningitis and septicaemia.