Anatomy of a Cheese Recall
The Listeria contamination tied to an Indiana cheese factory reveals some of the complexities of the U.S. supply-chain.
These are chaotic times for Americans. The nationwide cheese recall, I mean. (What did you think I was talking about?)
Several well-known cheese brands—including Sargento, Meijer, Santino, Amish Classics, Country Fresh, and Guggisberg—have issued recalls of Colby, pepper jack, shredded taco, and cheddar cheeses among concerns about listeria contamination at a cheese factory in Indiana. No illnesses have yet been reported.
Listeriosis, the foodborne illness that the bacteria causes, is a particular danger for those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, listeria can cause premature labor, miscarriages, and stillbirth. Listeria is an especially resilient bacteria—unlike many other germs, it can keep growing in a cool fridge.
