FindLaw Class Action and Mass Tort Center: Recalls: Food, Drugs and Medical Devices: Schratter Foods Inc. Recalls Imported Pinna Ricotta Salata Cheese Due to Possible Health Risk
NEWS: U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Schratter Foods Inc. Recalls Imported Pinna Ricotta Salata Cheese Due to Possible Health Risk
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Schratter Foods Inc.
201-641-6851
For Immediate Release
Schratter Foods Inc. Recalls Imported Pinna Ricotta Salata Cheese Due to Possible Health Risk
November 27, 2002 - A voluntary recall to all levels of distribution has been
initiated for imported 6,702 pounds of PINNA brand Ricotta Salata cheese sold
in the United States as bulk cheese and consumer size pre-cut pieces at retail
stores with the codes identified below. The product is being recalled due to
possible health risk. The product has the potential to be contaminated with
listeria monocytogenes, an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes
fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with
weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term
symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain
and diarrhea, listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among
pregnant women.
All consumer precut cheese with the following sell-by dates from January
4, 2003 through February 20, 2003 (inclusive) are affected. (The date is
stamped on the outer plastic wrapper of each piece of cheese).
Product packed as bulk is coded on the outer shipping carton as: "PD
5-23-02".
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was prompted as a result of routine sampling program by the Georgia
Department of Agriculture, Consumer Protection Division.
The company has ceased distribution of the product as FDA and company officials
continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Anyone in possession of the affected product is urged to return it to the place
of purchase for a full refund.
Any questions regarding the product recall may be directed to its United States
distributor, Schratter Foods Inc., at 201-641-6851.
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