Ouleout cheese from Vulto Creamery in Walton, NY has been identified as the most likely source of a Listeria outbreak that has sickened 6 people in 4 states. Two of those illnesses resulted in fatalities.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various state and local health officials have been investigating this outbreak since January 31, 2017. Feedback from the ill victims identified cheese from Vulto Creamery as the common denominator. After positive tests confirmed the presence of bacteria, Vulto Creamery began reaching out to its customers on March 3, followed by the announcement of a recall on March 7. In addition to the affected Ouleout cheese, additional lots and varieties were also recalled: Miranda, Heinennellie, and Willowemoc. Most of the cheeses were sold at retail locations in California, Illinois, Oregon and Washington, DC.
FDA is urging retailers and restaurants to not serve or sell any of the recalled products and should return them to Vulto Creamery. Any retailer that does not know the source of their cheese products should check with their supplier. Also, retailers should be sure to properly wash and sanitize any and all surfaces, utensils and cutting boards that may have come into contact with the contaminated cheese.
Consumers who have questions about the Vulto Creamery recall may call the company’s consumer hotline at 607-222-3995 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
The FDA also encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult the FDA.gov website.
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