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Ahava Food Corp. Recalls "Zuriel/Golan" Brand Cheeses From Israel

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Nader Beityakov 
          718-243-0400

For Immediate Release

Ahava Food Corp. Recalls "Zuriel/Golan" Brand Cheeses From Israel

Brooklyn, NY - March 21, 2002 -- Ahava Food Corp. recalls "Zuriel/Golan" brand cheeses from Israel with a sell by of 3/25/02 or later.

The following is a list of the items:

Brand
Item
Packaging
Size
Zuriel/Golan Halomy Cheese Retail plastic vacuum bag w/ label 7oz
Zuriel/Golan Olive 5% Cream Cheese Retail plastic cup with lid 9.5oz
Zuriel/Golan Bulgarian Cheese Retail plastic cup with lid 7oz
Zuriel/Golan Goat Feta Spread Retail plastic cup with lid 7oz
Zuriel/Golan Onion ½ % Cream Cheese Retail plastic cup with lid 9.5oz
Zuriel/Golan Fermier Cheese Paper Wrapped w/ label 6.4oz
Zuriel/Golan Bery Cheese Paper Wrapped w/ label 6.4oz
Zuriel/Golan Camembert Cheese Paper Wrapped w/ label 8oz
Zuriel/Golan Fomme de Provence Cheese Paper Wrapped w/ label 6.4oz
Zuriel/Golan Bucheron Cheese Paper Wrapped w/ label 6.4oz
Zuriel/Golan Olive ½ % Cream Cheese Retail plastic cup with lid 9.5oz

Recent tests show that the above items have 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 system. Although healthy individuals my suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.

The recalled above products were distributed to kosher only retail stores located in Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Columbus, Ohio; New York, and New Jersey.

Please view the above item list for product name, packaging and size.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential of contamination was noted after routine testing by the F.D.A. revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in several of the above items.

The importation of this product has been suspended while F.D.A. and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

Customers who have purchased the above items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-243-0400.


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