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# UPDATE: Whole Foods Market recalls cheese
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/whole_foods_market_recalls_cheese_1003120715/
- Published: 2012-10-03T08:14:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:23:34.000Z
- Description: Whole Foods is recalling Frescolina ricotta salata sold in 21 states and Washington, DC after supplier Forever Cheese flagged possible Listeria monocytogenes. Fourteen illnesses may be linked. An update adds cheese sold in California and Arizona labeled Mitica Ricotta Salada.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Alerts, Shopping, #vivvo-import

### Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

### UPDATE: Whole Foods Market recalls cheese because of possible health risk

**Contact**

Consumer:  
512-542-0060

Media:  
Libba Letton, Whole Foods Market media contact  
[libba.letton@wholefoods.com](mailto:libba.letton@wholefoods.com?subject=)

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** \- October 2, 2012 - Whole Foods Market announces that it is recalling ricotta salata sold in 21 states and Washington, D.C. that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY. Forever Cheese recalled this cheese product because it may be contaminated with *Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes* is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. 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.

The recalled Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese was cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427\. All “sell by” dates through Oct. 2 are affected. Fourteen illnesses have been reported which may be associated with the Frescolina recall.

***UPDATE: (Oct. 2, 2012) In the four stores that sold it in California and Arizona, the recalled cheese was also sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label that read “Mitica Ricotta Salada,” and with Whole Foods Market scale labels with PLU 294413\. All “sell by” dates through Oct. 2 are affected.***

Whole Foods Market stores in the following states are affected by this recall:

1. Alabama (1 store)
2. Arizona (2 stores)
3. California (2 stores)
4. Colorado(2 stores)
5. Florida (5 stores)
6. Georgia (4 stores)
7. Kansas (1 store)
8. Kentucky (1 store)
9. Maryland (6 stores)
10. North Carolina (7 stores)
11. New Jersey (2 stores)
12. New Mexico (2 stores)
13. New York (2 stores)
14. Ohio (2 stores)
15. Oregon (6 stores)
16. Pennsylvania (5 stores)
17. South Carolina (1 store)
18. Tennessee (3 stores)
19. Utah (1 store)
20. Virginia (6 stores)
21. Washington (6 stores)
22. Washington, D.C. (3 stores)

Signage is posted in Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall. Customers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market may return it to the store for a full refund, and call with questions 512-542-0060 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

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