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.
Recalls Home | FDA
Home Page | Search | A-Z
Index | Site Map | Contact
FDA
FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by tg 2002-DEC-02.