WISCONSIN CHEESE GROUP VOLUNTARILY RECALLS RED WAX HOOP CHEESE

Contact:  Wisconsin Cheese Group
          800-332-6518
                

For Immediate Release

Wisconsin Cheese Group Voluntarily Recalls Red Wax Hoop Cheese

MONROE, WI (November 22, 2000) - Wisconsin Cheese Group issued a voluntary recall of its Hoop Cheddar Cheese after receiving notification that its supplier's cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea from listeria infection. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirth among pregnant women.

The cheese was distributed in 26 states under the "Hoop Cheddar Cheese" name with various expiration dates. The Hoop Cheddar Cheese is sold as red waxed wedges of yellow cheddar cheese in random weights of 12 oz. to 15 oz. No other Wisconsin Cheese Group products are affected.

The Hoop Cheddar Cheese was labeled with weight/price stickers for sale at retail stores. The cheese was sold at Walmart Stores in 26 states with "Wisconsin Cheese Red Hoop Cheddar Cheese" on the weight/price stickers which have UPC code 40008013632. The product was also sold at Kroger Grocery Stores with "Kroger Red Wax Hoop Cheese" on the weight/price stickers which have UPC code 20396900461 on them. The Kroger product was sold at Kroger Stores in Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama.

The Wisconsin Cheese Group has received no reports or complaints of illness related to the product.

The recall was a result of testing conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and reported to Wisconsin Cheese Group by the cheese packager Kickapoo Valley Cheese who was previously informed by the manufacturer, Hill & Valley Cheese, Inc. of Cashton, WI. Wisconsin Cheese Group, Kickapoo Valley Cheese and Hill & Valley Cheese, Inc. are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture to assure an effective recall.

Wisconsin Cheese Group was informed of this problem on November 15, 2000 and voluntarily recalled all Hoop Cheddar Cheese sold prior to that date. Wisconsin Cheese Group has suspended all production and sales of cheese made by Hill & Valley Cheese, Inc. Replacement product purchased from a different manufacturer was shipped to our customers last week and the recalled cheese has been removed from the stores where the recalled cheese was shipped.

Consumers with questions can call toll free 800-332-6518. Consumers should dispose of the cheese or return it to the place of purchase for a full cash refund.

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