MIDDLEBURY, IND. — The discovery of potential contamination from Listeria at Deutsch Kase Haus, L.L.C. of Middlebury, Ind., has prompted a spate of recalls throughout the cheese industry, ranging from such well-known processors as Sargento Foods, Inc. to such retailers as Meijer, Inc.
Sargento Foods, Plymouth, Wis., initiated its original recall on Feb. 10 of sliced and shredded cheeses that may have been processed on the same line at Deutsch Kase Haus where Listeria contamination was identified. On Feb. 17, Sargento expanded the recall to include several additional varieties of value-added cheese. The company also announced it had ended its relationship with Deutsche Kase Haus.
Louie Gentine, c.e.o. of Sargento |
“We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this issue has caused,” said Louie Gentine, chief executive officer. “We have high expectations for the quality and safety of our products and hold our suppliers accountable to those same standards. We will continue to evaluate our processes to ensure we remain a leader in food safety and quality.”
The company also emphasized no illnesses had been associated with the recalled products.
Other companies affected by the recall include Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Myerstown, Pa.; Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.; MDS Foods, Inc., Massillon, Ohio; Saputo, Inc., Montreal; Biery Cheese Co., Louisville, Ohio; Guggisberg Cheese, Inc., Millersburg, Ohio; and Country Fresh L.L.C., Conroe, Texas.
The Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating the source of the contamination and the number of additional products that may be affected.