Listeria Risk Prompts Cheese Recall

Supermarket chain Whole Foods is recalling a French cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Austin, TX-based retailer issued a voluntary recall of Trois Comtois Morbier cheese sold at its locations Wednesday after being alerted of the Listeria risk by the cheese’s producer — Trois Comptois of Poligny, France.  Whole Foods sold the cheese at its stores in the Mid Atlantic, Southwest, Northern California, Southern Pacific and Midwest regions.  The U.S. retailer received the cheese in 11 lb. wheels and cut it into smaller pieces of varying weights that it then wrapped for individual sale.  The recalled cheese can be identified by its PLU, located on the Whole Foods Market label on the product. PLUs and the names under which the cheese was sold vary by region.  Whole Foods said it has received no reports of illness linked to consumption of the product. Signs are posted at all Whole Foods stores where the product may have been sold.  Customers who purchased the recalled cheese should return discard it and bring their receipt to the point of purchase for a full refund.  The following is a list of cheeses subject to the recall by area: