To:               Health Commissioners, Environmental Health Directors, Nursing Directors, ODA        Food Safety Specialists, and Other Interested Parties

Subject:        Recall Announcement  (ODA/ODH) 2000-39

Date:            November 9, 2000

SWISSROSE INTERNATIONAL, INC./MOONACHIE, NJ/ IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Swissrose International, Inc. of Moonachie, NJ is recalling Colby Jack and Marble Jack cheese because of the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

To date, there have been no reports of illness related to the products subject to this recall.

We are assisting Hill & Valley Cheese, the State of Wisconsin, and the FDA in recalling the Colby Jack and Marble Jack cheeses manufactured by Hill & Valley Cheese, Inc. of Cashton, WI.  Some of the cheese manufactured by Hill &Valley Cheese tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  We received cheese from Hill & Valley on June 23 and June 28, 2000.  Although the cheeses subject to this recall represent a very small portion of our retail products and much of it is probably no longer in distribution, Swissrose is always concerned for the health and safety of consumers.

Some of Colby Jack and Marble Jack cheese subject to this recall was converted into consumer products and distributed nation-wide through retail stores.

Effective immediately, Swissrose is recalling only the following County Line branded items containing Colby Jack and Marble Jack cheese.

Recall Product Description

County Line 8 oz Colby Jack Chunk, sell by dates 12/24/00 and1/7/01, 1/13/01, 1/16/01

County Line 12 oz Colby Jack Cubes, sell by dates 12/24/00, 1/20/01, 1/28/01

County Line 1.5 lb Marble Jack Horn Cut, sell by date 3/24/01

County Line 1.5 lb Colby Jack Slices, sell by dates 12/22/00, 12/24/00, 1/7/01, 1/17/01

County Line Random Weight Colby Jack Slices, sell by dates 12/20/00, 12/25/00

County Line Football Platters containing Colby Jack cheese, purchased after 9/11/00

Consumers may return affected product to the store where purchased for a full refund.  Questions may be directed to Swissrose at 1-800-233-7022.