A New Jersey food distributor is recalling an 8-9 pound wheel of imported “Royal Blue Stilton” cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
In a news release, Atalanta Corp. of Elizabeth, NJ, said it decided to test its cheese after another importer last month recalled cheese made by the same English dairy. Testing revealed the presence of Listeria, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The company’s inventory of the affected product was then quarantined and will be destroyed under FDA supervision.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the problem.
The recall involves just one 8-9 lb wheel of “Royal Blue Stilton” cheese contained in a master case with batch code B038. However, this cheese is routinely cut at retail from the bulk wheel and sold in random weight cuts.
The retail labels could read “Product of England” “Keep Refrigerated” “Royal Blue Stilton” “English Semi-Hard Cheese” and are also distinguishable by a small circular English flag in the upper left, the logo of the exporter “Coombe Castle International” in the upper center.
The cheese was manufactured in England by Quenby Hall Dairy and exported by Coombe Castle, but not all cheese exported by Coombe Castle International is manufactured by Quenby Hall Dairy.
The affected lot is marked B038 on the original case cartons. There are no specific expiration dates.
Consumers who have purchased wedge cuts of “Royal Blue Stilton” cheese affected by this recall can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 908-351-8000 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
