Cheese maker pulls 5,400 pounds of product off shelves due to listeria

An Ohio cheese maker is yanking thousands of pounds of dairy off shelves after tests uncovered dangerous listeria bacteria that could sicken pregnant women, children and the elderly.

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op issued an urgent recall Friday for more than 5,400 pounds of products sold across Ohio between July 14 and Aug. 7.

The tainted varieties include grass-fed pepper jack, Monterey jack, white cheddar and horseradish cheese — some sold under the Copia Collective and Farmers Cheese labels in addition to Middlefield’s own brand.

Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women and lead to fatal infections in kids, seniors and people with weak immune systems.

Symptoms range from fever and headaches to nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea.

The bacteria was discovered during routine testing of cheese made on June 16, June 24 and July 16. It spread into food-contact areas during production, general manager Nevin Byler admitted. The company shut down operations while investigators searched for the source.

So far no illnesses have been reported, but officials warn symptoms can take weeks to appear.

The biggest hit came to white cheddar, with 4,544 pounds recalled from 40-pound commercial loaves.

Another 640 pounds of Monterey jack were pulled, along with 246 pounds of pepper jack in sizes from 8-ounce packs to 40-pound blocks. Just 2.5 pounds of horseradish cheese tested positive — all in 8-ounce packages.

Affected codes include:

• Pepper jack: 251661
• Horseradish: 2524061
• Monterey jack: 251672
• White cheddar 40-lb blocks: 7-16-25B

Customers are urged to toss the cheese or return it for a full refund.

For more information, call Middlefield’s recall hotline at 440-632-5567 during business hours.