Sonoma Foods Expands Cheese Recall

A small California cheese maker is expanding a recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found some jack and cheddar varieties might be infected with bacteria.

Sonoma Foods Inc. announced the voluntary recall Tuesday, one week after an initial recall of Teleme spreadable cheese. The latest recall applies to Sonoma Cheddar and Sonoma Jack cheeses cut in wheels and wedges, but does not include cheese shreds or slices.

Inspectors found the cheeses might be tainted with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause deadly infections in children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Healthy people can experience fever, severe headache, stiffness, abdominal pain and nausea, and pregnant women could suffer miscarriages.

The bacteria probably entered the cheeses in the cutting and packaging phase of production, company President David Viviani said.

He did not know the total value or amount of cheese involved. About 80% of the cheeses are distributed in California, with most of the rest going to other Western states.

The company has shut down its plant in Sonoma pending a clean bill of inspection, but will move production to another site within two weeks, Viviani said.

No illnesses have been reported, he said.

Customers who purchased the cheese can call Sonoma Foods for a refund at (800) 367-1947.