Abbey Specialty Foods recalls Wicklow Gold cheddar cheese products due to potential listeria contamination, posing health risks to consumers across multiple states.
At a Glance
- Two Wicklow Gold cheddar cheese blends recalled for possible listeria contamination
- Affected products: Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Cheddar Tomato & Herb, 5.2 oz. packages
- Distributed in Ohio, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
- Listeria can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations
- Consumers advised to discard products or seek refunds
Recall Details and Affected Products
Abbey Specialty Foods, based in Fairfield, New Jersey, has issued a recall for two Wicklow Gold cheddar cheese products due to potential listeria contamination. The affected items are Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb, both in 5.2 oz. packages. These cheeses were supplied by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese LTD and distributed across five states: Ohio, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
The specific details for the recalled products are as follows:
– Cheddar Nettle & Chive: batch 24192, lot 1113880, UPC 797776045730, GTIN 73585016606300
– Cheddar Tomato & Herb: batch 24175, lot 1113881, UPC 797776045778, GTIN 73585017737300
Both products have a sell-by date of June 2, 2025. Consumers who have purchased these items should check their refrigerators and dispose of the products immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Abbey Specialty Foods of Fairfield, NJ, is recalling cheddar cheese products sold under the Wicklow Gold brand due to listeria fears. Here's what to know: https://t.co/986CNo6G9C
— Fast Company (@FastCompany) January 6, 2025
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacterium that can cause severe infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The FDA’s recall alert emphasizes the gravity of the situation: “Abbey Specialty Foods of Fairfield, NJ is recalling Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb because they have 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, and others with weakened immune systems”
Symptoms of listeria infection can range from mild to severe and may include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In more serious cases, the infection can lead to confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Risks for Pregnant Women
The FDA warns pregnant women are at particular risk from listeria infections: “Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”
The FDA further emphasized the dangers to newborns: “Babies born with a listeriosis infection may develop severe health complications that require immediate medical attention, lead to lifelong health problems, or result in death.”
Consumer Action and Additional Information
Consumers who have purchased the recalled Wicklow Gold cheddar cheese products should not consume them. Instead, they should discard the items or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information or concerns, Abbey Specialty Foods can be contacted at 862-210-8150 or [email protected].
Sources:
NJ cheese maker recalls Wicklow Gold. What you need to know
RECALL: Two Wicklow Gold cheddar cheese variants recalled over possible Listeria
Cheddar cheese listeria recall hits several states: FDA says avoid these Wicklow Gold products
