The Nation - News from Feb. 14, 1986

Thousands of pounds of Brie soft cheese have been found to be contaminated and could be dangerous to pregnant women, children and the elderly, the government said. No confirmed illnesses have been reported as a result of the French-imported cheese, marketed under the brand names Joan of Arc and Esprit Nouveau, the Food and Drug Administration said. Officials said the cheese has been recalled in the 23 states where it was distributed. Samples of the cheese were found to contain listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria normally killed by pasteurization. The states recalling the cheese include California, Nevada and Arizona.