Listeria risk sparks Aldi recall of brie and other popular cheeses: Avoid these brands

Several brands of soft cheese have been recalled due to possible contamination with the deadly bacteria listeria. 

Savencia Cheese USA announced last week seven of its brie products manufactured at a Pennsylvania facility may have been exposed to listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes the foodborne illness listeria.

According to an FDA notice, the bacterium was found in processing equipment at the plant after routine testing, but finished cheeses have not tested positive for the bacteria. 

However, the agency is still initiating a recall to ‘retrieve the potentially affected product.’ 

The cheeses had ‘limited regional distribution’ in stores like Aldi and Market Basket, but the FDA has not revealed any other retailers that are selling the products.

The ‘few retailers’ selling them, however, have pulled the food from their shelves. 

Impacted states include Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, and Illinois.  

No illnesses have been reported, but the recall is among many recent incidents that have sparked concerns about America’s food supply.

La Bonne Vie Brie (6/8oz) and La Bonne Vie Camembert (6/8 ounce) were among the cheeses recalled due to possibly containing listeria

All affected products, including those pictured here, have been pulled from shelves 

The seven recalled products include: Aldi Emporium Selection Brie (12/8oz Brie); Supreme Oval 7oz (6/7 ounce); La Bonne Vie Brie (6/8oz), La Bonne Vie Camembert (6/8 ounce); 12/8oz Industrial Brie; Market Basket Brie (6/8 ounce); and Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie (2/3lb).

The products were manufactured between September 30 and October 15, 2024 and six have a ‘best buy’ date of December 24, 2024. 

The Glenview product has a best-buy date of January 13, 2025. 

Listeria, also called Listeriosis, is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

It can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive refrigeration and other food preservation measures. 

Many foods can harbor the bug, but it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches. 

Cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish, including sushi and pre-cut fruit, are also a risk.

Most people who eat food contaminated with Listeria will not become seriously ill. 

But in some cases, it can cause confusion and seizures, miscarriage in pregnant women, and even death.

This can happen when the infection spreads beyond the gut and affects the central nervous system, which can lead to numbness and seizures. 

Supreme Oval 7oz (6/7 ounce) cheese was also recalled. Those who purchased any recalled products are encouraged to return them to the place of purchase for a recall

Many foods can harbor the listeria, but it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches

The CDC estimates 1,600 Americans become infected with listeria every year, and about 260 die. 

Consumers who purchased any of the recalled cheeses are encouraged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

The recall comes amid several recent outbreaks of foodborne illness, which have left millions of Americans distrustful of the food supply. 

Listeria came into the spotlight earlier this year after the bug was found at a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia.

The illness hospitalized 59 Americans in 19 states and killed 10, eventually causing the factory to close. About seven million pounds of meat were recalled by the end of July.  

And earlier this month, McDonald’s was struck with an E.coli outbreak potentially linked to the chopped onions on its famous Quarter Pounder burgers. 

The outbreak has led to 75 illnesses and one death, along with two Americans fighting a deadly kidney injury tied to E.coli.