Illness outbreak triggers recall of certain cheeses in Ontario

Multiple surface-ripened soft and semi-soft cheeses are recalled in Ontario due to a recent foodborne illness outbreak.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched an investigation into the illness outbreak and uncovered some surface-ripened soft and semi-soft cheeses contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Residents are advised to check their cheese stock at home for Mélo-Dieux, surface-ripened soft cheese from La Vache à Maillotte as well as three kinds of cheese from Le Fromage au Village: soft surface ripened cheese Angelus and Le Casimir, and semi-soft surface-ripened Le Cendre de Notre-Dame.

The agency says food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness.

The cheeses come in amounts of approximately 150 to 275 grams and have been sold in Ontario and Quebec as well as online.

The CFIA says there have been reported illnesses that may be associated with the consumption of these products but does not specify what location the illnesses are stemming from.

The agency says further lab testing is underway to confirm whether the illness reported is linked to the Listeria monocytogenes contamination.