Castle Cheese.
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March 27, 2014 - 8:41 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — The recalls continue for Lumby-based Castle Cheese after it was discovered items possibly containing contaminated cheese were being distributed through several retail stores in B.C.
The recalls began back in February when regular testing showed a conveyor belt in one room was contaminated with listeria. The company immediately shut down production in that room and called in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Products delivered to commercial customers, such as hotels and restaurants, were voluntarily recalled and a couple weeks later the retail sector recalled items as well. Many of the affected products have been shredded cheeses and now several stores in Coquitlam, Mission and Vancouver are recalling salads and cheese blends that may contain cheese from Castle Cheese.
Many of the other products already recalled have been distributed across the country and no illnesses have been reported.
Listeria contamination may not result in food looking or smelling spoiled, but it can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches and neck stiffness. In extreme cases, listeriosis can cause miscarriage and death. At this time there have not been any reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. The inspection agency is actively making sure all affected products have been removed from the marketplace.
Last summer Gort's Gouda was behind a national recall after E. coli contamination killed a Vernon woman.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014