Warning Issued on Possibility of Tainted Cheese

Californians were urged Tuesday by state Health Services Director Kenneth Kizer not to eat two brands of French-manufactured cheese, because they may be contaminated with deadly Listeria monocytogenes organisms.

Dr. Alan P. Slagle of the Health Services Department’s food and drug branch, identified the suspect cheeses as Joan of Arc brand plain (unflavored) brie cheese in 2.2-pound wheels, with code number 323, and Esprit Nouveau brand plain brie in 2.2-pound wheels, with code number 351.

Slagle said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the organisms. He added, however, that the Otto Roth Co. believes that no Esprit Nouveau was shipped to California and that the Joan of Arc brand is no longer in stores.