Whole Foods Recalls Cheese Recently Linked to Listeria Outbreak

Whole Foods Market is recalling ricotta salata sold at its stores because the product was recalled earlier this week after it was connected to an ongoing multistate Listeria outbreak.  Whole Foods announced the voluntary recall Wednesday after its supplier — Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, New York — recalled its Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese Monday because it was a common food source among victims of a Listeria outbreak affecting 14 people in 11 states to date.  The ricotta subject to recall was distributed to Whole Foods locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia. States where the cheese was sold include:  1. Alabama (1 store) 2. Arizona (2 stores) 3. California (2 stores) 4. Colorado(2 stores) 5. Florida (5 stores) 6. Georgia (4 stores) 7. Kansas (1 store) 8. Kentucky (1 store) 9. Maryland (6 stores) 10. North Carolina (7 stores) 11. New Jersey (2 stores) 12. New Mexico (2 stores) 13. New York (2 stores) 14. Ohio (2 stores) 15. Oregon (6 stores) 16. Pennsylvania (5 stores) 17. South Carolina (1 store) 18. Tennessee (3 stores) 19. Utah (1 store) 20. Virginia (6 stores) 21. Washington (6 stores) 22. Washington, D.C. (3 stores)  The recalled product was cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label marked with PLU number 293427. All products with a sell-by date of Oct. 2 or earlier are subject to the recall.  Whole Foods has posted signs at the affected stores notifying consumers of the recall.  Anyone who purchased the affected ricotta product can return it to its point of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can call the company at 512-542-0060 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST.