Some organic cheese products sold under the Farm Boy, Life Smart, and L’Ancêtre brands have been recalled over possible Listeria contamination, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says.
“Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products,” the agency said in a notice posted Oct. 14. The recall is classified as Class 1, indicating a high risk of serious health consequences.
The recall covers 12 products, including Farm Boy organic Swiss and cheddar cheeses with a best-before date of July 30, 2027.
Six L’Ancêtre products, including Swiss, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, have ‘best-before’ dates ranging from Dec. 4, 2026, to July 30, 2027. Life Smart’s Organic Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese has a best-before date of March 30, 2027.
The agency advises consumers to throw out the recalled products or return them to the place of purchase. Anyone who suspects they have become ill after eating a recalled product should contact a health-care provider.
Food contaminated with Listeria may not look or smell spoiled, the agency warns.
The recall followed testing by the agency. No illnesses linked to the products had been reported as of the notice’s publication. The agency said its investigation is ongoing and additional products could be recalled.
Listeria Dangers
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause an infection called listeriosis. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, and muscle aches. More severe infections can cause headaches, neck stiffness, seizures and other neurological complications, and can be fatal.
Anyone can develop listeriosis, but older adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness, Health Canada says. Pregnancy-related changes in immune function can make women more susceptible to infection. The bacteria can also cross the placenta and infect the unborn baby, potentially causing premature birth, serious illness, or stillbirth.
People can reduce their risk of listeriosis by following general food safety practices, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. These include cooking food thoroughly, washing hands and cleaning kitchen surfaces and utensils that come into contact with food.
Foods associated with Listeria contamination include ready-to-eat meats, raw or undercooked meat and seafood, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, refrigerated smoked fish, and certain soft and semi-soft cheeses. Contamination can also occur when food comes into contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.
The agency specifically identifies hot dogs, deli meats, raw milk, blue-veined cheeses and refrigerated smoked fish among foods associated with listeriosis. About 168 cases of invasive listeriosis are reported annually in Canada, according to the agency.
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