The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat goat cheese products manufactured by Apple Tree Goat Dairy of Richfield, Pa. due to concerns of possible listeria contamination.
Apple Tree recalled four of their products in September after samples tested positive for listeria. Apple Tree later expanded the recall, but the FDA says they were unaware of this announcement.
The FDA is now advising consumers to not eat any of the company's goat cheese products. This comes after a recent inspection that identified the pathogen in Apple Tree's finished products and production environment.
Apple Tree makes pasteurized and 60-day aged, semi-soft and hard goat cheeses under the Apple Tree Goat Dairy brand. The dairy sells products in locations including Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia through Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative, West End Farmers Market in Alexandria, Va., and other markets.
Although no illnesses have been reported yet, the FDA reminds consumers that listeria is an organism that can cause a serious -- and sometimes fatal -- illness known as listeriosis, which is the third-leading cause of death from food poisoning.
Listeriosis can lead to stillbirth and miscarriages in pregnant women. And young children and elderly people could become seriously ill from listeriosis.
But even healthy individuals could suffer short-term symptoms, including high fever, headaches and nausea.
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Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised to stop using them and contact Apple Tree Goat Dairy at 717-694-0146 with any questions.
