‘Heluva Good’ Cheese Recall Over Listeria Fears
A Listeria cheese recall was issued by Lynnfield, Mass.-based HP Hood company according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The 8-ounce plastic cup containers of port wine and sharp cheddar cheeses were branded “Heluva Good” and were found to contain the harmful Listeria monocytogenes bacteria when Wisconsin state health officials tested a sample from the facility that co-packs Heluva Good brand. Details of the recalled products are as follows:
- 8-ounce Heluva Good Port Wine Cold Pack Cheese Food, UPC 73570 55503, sell-by date between 11/15/2010 and 12/15/2010
- 8-ounce Heluva Good Sharp Cheddar Cold Pack Cheese Food, UPC 73570 55501, sell-by date between 11/15/2010 and 12/15/2010
The cheeses were distributed to stores in: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island.
Recalls involving this harmful bacteria are frequently associated with foods such as soft cheeses and ready-to-eat meat foods like hot dogs and cold cuts. Listeria can cause a serious sickness known as Listeriosis, which is particularly harmful and potentially fatal especially in children and the elderly. It can cause miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women. Symptoms of Listeriosis are flu-like and may include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach and vomiting.
The National Institutes of Health recommends reducing the risk of a listeria infection by following these steps:
- Use precooked and ready-to-eat foods as soon as you can
- Avoid raw milk and raw milk products
- Heat ready-to-eat foods and leftovers until they are steaming hot
- Wash fresh fruits and vegetables
- Avoid rare meat and seafood
