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Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op issued a recall for nearly 900 pounds of their cheese products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. A deadly bacteria that can cause serious and fatal illness as well as pregnancy complications.
Several cheese products are listed in the recall announcement.
What is the reason for this recall? Why is Listeria so dangerous? What should you do if you have purchased and/or consumed recalled products?
Follow along for this, and more, as we discuss This Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op recall and a potential Listeria outbreak.
During routine product testing activities performed by the company, an unfortunate result was found.
Listeria bacteria were identified in certain cheese products.
This prompted an internal investigation. Production was suspended while the company searched for the source of the contamination. A likely source was identified.
Environmental contamination.
According to the press release, “environmental contamination that migrated to food contact areas of the production process.” One report specifically mentioned “cutting equipment surfaces.”
Several products were recalled.
Several Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op products, including their 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack cheese in various sizes, Horseradish flavored cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, farmers cheese, and a recently expanded list of other affected cheeses.
Recalled products include:
Lot codes for 8 oz packages and 5 lb loaves can be found on the side of the product. The 40 lb loaves have date codes printed on product packaging.
Affected products were produced on May 30, 2025, June 16, 2025, June 24, 2025, July 16, 2025, and August 13, 2025. Product was distributed to the state of Ohio between July 14, 2025 and August 7, 2025 to manufacturers and distributors as well as retail stores. Other products were distributed to Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas between July 7, 2025 and August 14, 2025. Affected products were sold through distributors, dining halls, and retail stores.
As of now, the press release says that “there have been no reports of illness to date associated with consumption of these products.”
However, it can take several weeks between consuming a product contaminated with Listeria bacteria, becoming sick, getting medical care, and being linked to an ongoing Listeria outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently performing traceback investigation activities on an active Listeria outbreak published on September 4, 2025. This outbreak that has sickened at least 25 people so far may have been caused by these products. Or it could be an entirely different food altogether.
Such as frozen peas and carrots. A food recall that was also published on the same day as a Listeria outbreak was announced with no known food source.
Make Food Safe will monitor the situation and update our dear readers as more information becomes available.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. It causes a serious infection and is often associated with contaminated food.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, most normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
If you have consumed Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op products, there are certain symptoms to look out for in case you fall sick with Listeria.
Unlike other bacterial foodborne illnesses, Listeria affects people who are pregnant differently than those who are not pregnant.
Both groups of people may experience the same intestinal illness.
Common initial symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea starting as little as a day from consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. Though, it can take week or more for some people to show signs of invasive illness.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. When it comes to invasive Listeria illness, we start to see differences in symptoms between those who are pregnant and those who are not.
For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure, but it can take longer.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have fallen sick from eating Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op products, you may have a legal claim. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Listeria Lawyer that can help!
Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness add up. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped families in situations just like yours recover millions of dollars in product liability and food poisoning cases. They can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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