Press Release 11/30/2007
Sweetwater recalls two cheeses for possible Listeria contamination
Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is alerting Georgians to another Sweetwater Valley Farms cheese recall.
Sweetwater Valley Farms, Inc. of Philadelphia, TN is recalling its Tennessee Aged Southern Mild Cheddar Cheese (yellow) and Tennessee Aged Southern Sharp Cheddar Cheese (yellow) because the cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, 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 infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
TENNESSEE AGED SOUTHERN SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE (yellow) AND TENNESSEE AGED SOUTHERN MILD CHEDDAR CHEESE (yellow), Lot Number 604, were distributed in 7, 10, and 15 ounce bars to retail stores in Tennessee and Georgia. These products also were distributed to 48 contiguous states in gift baskets marketed by the firm's website between October 18, 2007 and November 26, 2007.
No illnesses have been reported. The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria. The company has ceased distribution of this lot as it continues the investigation into what caused the problem.
Last week, the company recalled lot number 539 of its Southern Cheddar Jack Volunteer Special Cheese distributed prior to November 19, 2007.
Consumers who have purchased lot number 604 of these products are urged to discard it or ship it back to the company for a full refund. Contact the company's consumer affairs department at 1-877-862-4332 for further information.
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