UPDATE: Additional products have been added to the list of Okanagan’s Choice Cheese possibly contaminated.
The CFIA has added Okanagan’s Choice chipped parmesan cheese and shredded parmesan cheese, as well as crumbled feta to the list of products possibly contaminated with Listeria.
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March 14, 2014
A Lumby company is voluntarily recalling some of its cheese products due to a possible Listeria contamination.
Castle Cheese Inc. is recalling Okanagan’s Choice Cheese brand shredded cheese products from the marketplace.
Due to possible Listeria contamination, consumers should not consume the recalled products.
The affected products are shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded parmesan cheese and nacho blend (cheddar and mozzarella cheese).
“We returned a positive result for Listeria on a conveyer belt,” said Trina Boyko, with the family manufacturing plant which has been in Lumby for eight years.
Although there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products, the company apologizes to the public.
“We really take this to heart,” said Boyko.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was alerted to the possible contamination when results were returned Feb. 4, says Boyko. The CFIA made the recall public after it found trace contamination in the product following testing at various locations where the product is sold.
The CFIA is continuing to conduct a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.
Production continues but Boyko assures the room of origin is not in use.
“This room where this Listeria was found has been completely segregated.”
Consumers are urged to check to see if they have recalled products in their home, which should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
“Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” according to the CFIA.
Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.
The recalled products have been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.
