If you recently purchased soft cheese, it's time to check your refrigerator.

On November 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall of Savencia Cheese USA products, including “select soft-ripened cheeses” made at its Lena, Illinois manufacturing facility, “because they may are contaminated”. with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and others with weakened immune systems.”

The recall affects a number of popular grocery chains, including Aldi and Market Basket, a supermarket chain that operates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. All recalled products have a “Best Buy Date” of December 24, 2024. These cheeses were named as part of the recall:

• Aldi Emporium Selection Brie, 12/8 ounce Brie
• La Bonne Vie Brie, 6/8 oz
• La Bonne Vie Camembert, 6/8 oz
• Industrial Brie 12/8 oz
• Market Basket Brie 6/8 oz
• Supreme Oval 7oz, 6/7oz

The 12 affected states are: Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Illinois.

The FDA announcement states: “You can identify these products by checking the UPC and best purchase date on the product labels. These products have had limited regional distribution in the United States.” Importantly, it added that “the few retailers that received the product have been notified of this possible contamination and are in the process of removing products from shelves.”

Additionally, there are no confirmed reports of adverse health events resulting from consumption of the recalled products.

Any consumers who purchased these recalled products should “refrain from consuming them and return them to the location where they purchased them for a full refund,” the FDA added. And consumers with questions can contact Savencia Cheese's consumer department at 800-322-2743 or email [email protected].

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria bacteria “can cause an infection called listeriosis.” Symptoms may depend on the individual and the part of the body affected. It states: “Listeria is most likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can become infected with listeria but rarely become seriously ill.”

Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches and fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. The CDC added, “Symptoms of intestinal illness usually appear within 24 hours of eating foods contaminated with Listeria and usually last 1-3 days.” The organization also noted that “Listeria infections are the third most common in the United States The cause of death is foodborne illness.”