Apple Tree Goat Cheeses Recalled for Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner.

In yet another food safety recall, Apple Tree Goat Dairy of Richfield, Pennsylvania recently recalled the following products:

• Feta cheese aged 60 days lot #836,
• Gouda Cheese aged 60 days Lot #426,
• Pasturized chevre Lot #816, in 5 lb. or 8 oz.,
• French Herb Chevre Lot #736 in 8 oz. Or 5 lb.

According to the recall notice posted on the FDA website, the recalls were made because of the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Healthy consumers may only have short-term illness to include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, but for young children, frail or elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, the infections could be serious and sometimes fatal. Among pregnant women, Listeria monocytogenses could cause miscarriages or stillbirths.

The cheeses were distributed through Lancaster Co-op in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware. To date, no illnesses have been reported.

Although the positive tests at the dairy were discovered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on August 29, the warning notice was not posted until September 9, 2016. The FDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are continuing investigations. In the meantime, consumers should not eat the cheeses and should contact the location where they were purchased for full refunds.

Do you have any questions about this post? If so, please email Mr. Zambri: [email protected].

About the author:

Mr. Zambri has been successful in litigating food poisoning cases. He is knowledgeable and experienced in handling the unique complexities involved in food poisoning litigation.

Mr. Zambri is the author of a widely renowned book on product liability litigation. His experience and knowledge regarding personal injury is often sought by other lawyers and he regularly speaks at seminars regarding personal injury litigation. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers (2016 edition) and has been repeatedly named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine (2016) – national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.