A listeria outbreak that is reportedly linked to gourmet cheese may have killed one person and poisoned four others, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
CNN reports one case of listeria included a pregnant woman who sadly suffered a miscarriage. The listeriosis is linked to Les Freres cheese distributed by Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics, a Wisconsin producer, the FDA told CNN.
"We are cooperating with the regulatory agencies' ongoing investigation of the cause of the potential health risks," George Crave, president of the Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics, said in a press release.
The cheese producer has issued a voluntarily recall on the products. According to the FDA, all those who were infected were from the same strand of listeriosis, CNN reports.
"This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the FDA said in a press release. "Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women."
Other symptoms include confusion, loss of balance or convulsions.
Minnesota health officials are warning consumers not to consume the Les Freres, Petit Frere and Petit Frere with Truffles cheeses. The state's Department of Agriculture has advised grocery stores and distributors to pull the products until it gets further information.
"The people who became ill ranged in age from 31 to 67 and were diagnosed between May 20 and June 17," the FDA said.
Those who have purchased any of the cheese products are urged not to consume them. According to the FDA, you can return the cheese to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard it.
If you have any questions about listeria or the recall, you may contact Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics at 920-478-4887, Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
