Sargento Cheese Recalled  7/27/01

Sargento Foods Inc. of Plymouth, Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling 8-ounce packages of Fancy Shredded Mozzarella, UPC 46100 00055 with code date 19OCT01 because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Because consumer safety is of utmost importance to Sargento, as a precaution they are also voluntarily recalling 8-ounce packages of Fancy Shredded Mozzarella UPC 46100 00055 with code date 20OCT01 and 8-ounce 6 Cheese Italian Blend Shredded Cheese UPC 46100 00091 with code date 20OCT01 even though there is no evidence of contamination of these products.

A spokesperson for Sargento stated that some of the recalled product was shipped to the following Ohio locations in early June: Meijer Distribution Center in Tipp City, Giant Eagle in Bedford, and Fleming Distribution in Massillon.  Each of the accounts was notified to take action to remove the product from service.

No other Sargento products are affected by this recall.

Listeria can cause short-term flu-like symptoms in healthy adults and more serious illness in children, frail elderly, those with suppressed immune systems and pregnant women.

If the product contains Listeria, there is no health concern if it is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption as the organism is destroyed by heat.

Any consumer questions should be referred to Sargento Consumer Affairs at 1-800-CHEESES (1-800-243-3737) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Central Time or e-mail at ask_us@sargento.com.