Food Safety Report: Hilltop Meadow Farm Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese - recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Erie, Pennsylvania, United States

The Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese from Hilltop Meadow Farm, 153 martin Road, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, is being voluntarily recalled by the farm. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns consumers about "Hilltop Meadow Farm" brand '60 Day Aged Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese' with sell by dates of 9/21/2023 or earlier. Testing of this cheese confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. No reported illnesses have been attributed to the product.

The recalled product was sold in ½ lb, 1 lb, 2.5 lb, and 5 lb sizes at their on-farm store and at the following locations:

Meadow Run Farms, 727 Rettew Mill Road, Littitz, Lancaster County
Shady Acres Farm Market, 8514 Elizabethtown Road, Elizabethtown, Lancaster County
Willow Haven Farm, 7686 Herber Road, New Tripoli, Leigh County
Healthy Habits Natural Market, 1120 Center Turnpike, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County
Little Leaf Natural Products, 505 S Main Street, Montrose, Susquehanna County
Whole Earth Center, 360 Nassau St, Princeton, New Jersey
Healthy Way, 396 S Main St, Massena, New York
Northstar Bison Store, 225 Birch Avenue, Cameron, Wisconsin

The tainted Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese is labeled with the Hilltop Meadow Farm label and designations "From A2/A2 Milk" and "Made from 100% Grassfed Cow's Milk" product descriptions.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an illness which has symptoms including fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. Listeriosis mainly affects pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and adults with impaired immune systems. Listeriosis in pregnant women can result in miscarriage, premature delivery, serious infection of the newborn, or stillbirth.

People who consumed the Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese should consult their physicians if they become ill.

In case you are experiencing Listeria monocytogenes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Company name: Hilltop Meadow Farm
Brand name: Hilltop Meadow Farm
Product recalled: Pepper Jack Raw Milk Cheese
Reason of the recall: Presence of Listeria monocytogenes
FDA Recall date: November 28, 2023

Source: www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/agriculture-department-warns-consumers-discard-hilltop-meadow-farm-brand-contaminated-60-day-aged