Whole Foods stores recall organic Roquefort cheese

PRESCOTT - The Yavapai County Community Health Services Department has issued an advisory about a Whole Foods Market recall of organic Roquefort cheese potentially contaminated with a bacteria known to weaken the immune systems, particularly those with other illnesses, young children and the elderly.

The organic Roquefort Papillon was recalled from stores nationwide because of potential contamination with Listeria moncytogenes, an organizsm known to cause serious even fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems. The product can be identified by the scale label that begins with PLU 029536.

All sell dates are affected.

"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," the Health Department release states.

Anyone who has purchased this brand of cheese from a Whole Food market and experiences such symptoms is advised to seek immediate medical attention, the release said.

The recalled cheese was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with Whole Foods Market scale labels, the release said.

The recall stemmed from routine Food and Drug Administration sampling that found the Listeria in a whole, uncut wheel of the cheese, the recall release said.

No illnesses or infections have been reported. Signs have been posted on the store shelves to inform customers of the recall.

Consumers who may have purchased this product may bring a receipt to the store for a full refund.

Anyone with questions can contact the local store or call 512-447-5566, ext. 20060, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

For more information about this event, or other product recalls, contact the county Health Services through its website: www.YavapaiHealth.com