Food safety
Whole Foods recalls Maytag raw milk blue cheese
The Iowa Department of Agriculture discovered possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. No reported illnesses have been linked to the product.
Whole Foods stores on Monday voluntarily recalled packages of Maytag raw milk blue cheese made by Maytag Dairy Farms, Newton, Iowa. Last month the cheesemaker issued three separate recalls, on Feb. 13, 18 and 26.
The cheese, sold in wedges, wheels and crumbles, has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Dairy Products Control Bureau discovered the possible contamination during routine testing. To date there have been no reported illnesses linked to the product.
Look for these lot or batch numbers on Maytag blue cheese packages
The lot number or batch number appears on the side or the bottom of the product. Affected products are packaged as follows:
Wedges or wheels (all sizes). Lots numbers. 150479, 150480, 150481, 150482, 150483, 150484, 150485, 150486, 150488, 150489, 150492, 150493, 150495, 150498, 150499, 150500, 150501, 150506, 150508, 150509, 150514, 150515, 150516, 150517, 150518, 150532, 150533, 150534, 150535, 150538, 150539, 150648, 150649, 150650, 150651
Crumbles (both sizes). Batch #s. 950804, 960020, 950805, 960037, 950806, 960040, 950807, 960041, 950808, 960049, 950809, 960054, 950813, 960069, 950818, 960070, 950825, 960071, 960072, 950830, 960073, 950848, 950826, 950849, 960053, 950851, 960067, 950853, 960068, 950855, 950856, 950858, 950859, 960001, 960002, 960004, 960025, 960034, 960036, 960051, 960055, 960065, 960066
The recalled cheese was sold cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap with scale labels in various weights reading “Maytag Blue Raw Milk,” “Maytag Blue” or “Maytag Iowa Blue Cheese” and with PLU numbers beginning with 293308 and “sell-by” dates of 1/20/2016 and 3/21/16. The product was sold from cheese cases in various Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. In its statement, the retailer said, "Out of an abundance of caution, Whole Foods Market is recalling the products from all of its stores nationwide."
What to do if you bought Maytag blue cheese
Customers who have purchased this product at Whole Foods should discard it, and may bring their receipt into the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 512-477-5566, extension 20060, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time.
Those who purchased these products at other stores should call Maytag Dairy Farms at 800-247-2458 or 641-791-2010 Monday – Friday 9AM-5PM CST to arrange for a refund and return of the product.
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