The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention teams will be working with the Minnesota Department of Health in the investigation of the Listeria outbreak connected to Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheeses.
The cheese manufacturer announced recalls of three cheese products on July 3. Five people reported that the cheese had made them sick, one died, and one woman had miscarriage.
The cheeses recalled where the Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses. Only those manufactured on July 1 were included on the recall. The manufacturer advised people who have these cheese stored to discard them immediately even if they are not feeling ill especially pregnant women, the elderly, kids, and those with weak immune system. The incubation period of the listeriosis may last up to 70 days. The products had a shelf life of up to 3 months so better check the label and discard it.
It is also advisable to sanitize your kitchen if you happen to have this cheese. Proper disposal of the cheese should be done accordingly. Place it in a sealed container, wash your hands as well the cheese drawer and the fridge. You may dilute one tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of hot water and use that to clean the area. Everything near the cheese should be sanitized including the cutting board, knife, and other utensils.
If you have happened to have consumed any of the cheese, check for the symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problem. Pregnant women should rush to the nearest hospital and be examined as it may cause miscarriage or damage to the baby.
According to the CDC, an average of 2.2 listeria outbreaks was reported between 1998 and 2008. The highest record they had was in 2002 when 54 became sick, 8 died, and 3 women had miscarriage as a result of a contamination in a turkey meat.
