Let’s talk about something important if you’ve bought Sargento cheese lately. Sargento Foods Inc., located in Plymouth, Wisconsin, is calling back certain shredded cheese because of a possible health risk. They’re worried it’s contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes, which can make you really sick.
This recall posted by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), started on February 5, 2024, and it’s not over yet. The cheeses that might be affected were sold in lots of states like Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Recalled Products
The recall includes different types of cheese like Cotija, Parmesan, Swiss, Asiago, Monterey Jack, White Cheddar, and more. Each type of cheese has different package sizes and ‘best by’ dates. It’s a lot of info, but the key thing is that you should not eat these cheeses if they have those dates. All of them should be kept cold because they’re the kind you put in the fridge.
If you’ve got any of this cheese, don’t eat it! It’s safest to throw it away or take it back to the store where you got it.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes isn’t something you can see or smell on food, but it’s bad news. It can make people very ill, and some might even have to stay in the hospital. If you feel super sick experiencing throwing up, a bad headache, fever, muscle aches, or a stiff neck, you need to go to a doctor right away. And if you’ve eaten the recalled cheese, tell your doctor about it because it could help them figure out what’s wrong.
Folks like moms-to-be, older people, little kids, and anyone with a weak immune system need to be extra careful because Listeria can be really risky for them.
Remember, just because something doesn’t look or smell spoiled, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. It’s always better to play it safe with food, especially when there’s a recall like this one. Stay safe, everyone!