Five persons infected with an outbreak of Listeria
monocytogenes have been reported from four states: Illinois, Indiana,
Minnesota, and Ohio.
All five persons were hospitalized.
One death was reported in Minnesota. One of the people infected was a pregnant woman
who had a miscarriage.
An investigation by local and state public health and
regulatory agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicates that Les Frères, Petit Frère, and
Petit Frère with Truffles, cheeses made by Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Co.,
is the likely source of the outbreak.
On July 3, Crave Brothers voluntarily recalled the three cheeses with manufacturing dates of July 1 or
earlier due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled cheeses were
distributed nationwide through retail and foodservice outlets as well as by
mail orders.
Consumers who purchased any of the
recalled cheeses shouldn’t eat them and should throw away any remaining
cheeses.
This is especially
important for pregnant women, older adults, and persons with weakened
immune systems, who are at the highest risk for infection and serious outcomes,
the agencies and CDC advise.
The agencies will release more
information as the investigation progresses.
