Old World Creamery Issues Urgent Cheese Recall for Listeria Contamination Across Multiple States

Federal health officials are urging consumers to check their refrigerators for several popular soft cheese products following a multi-state cheese recall for Listeria contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Wisconsin-based Old-World Creamery is voluntarily recalling multiple lots of its Brie, Camembert, and Blue Cheese products distributed nationwide due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was initiated after a routine FDA product sampling detected the presence of the dangerous bacterium in a wheel of Brie from the company’s facility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now investigating an outbreak of listeriosis infections spanning five states, which genetic sequencing has linked to the strain found in the cheese.

Old World Creamery Recall

Key Fact	Detail/Statistic
Recalling Firm	Old World Creamery of Wisconsin
Reason for Recall	Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Public Health Impact	12 illnesses and 10 hospitalizations reported across 5 states
Consumer Action	Do not consume. Dispose of product or return for a full refund.

Details of the Nationwide Food Safety Alert

According to the official food safety alert issued by the FDA on Tuesday, the recall affects Old World Creamery brand products with “Best By” dates ranging from August 30, 2025, to October 15, 2025. The recalled cheeses were sold at major national and regional supermarket chains, including Kroger, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Publix.

The specific products included in the recall are:

• Old World Creamery Brie (8 oz and 16 oz wheels)
• Old World Creamery Camembert (8 oz wheels)
• Old World Creamery Creamy Blue Cheese (6 oz wedges)

Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking the lot codes printed on the packaging. A full list of affected lot codes is available on the FDA’s website. The company has ceased production and distribution of these items as the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the source of the problem.

Public Health Impact and Investigation

The CDC has issued a public health warning linking the recall to a concerning outbreak of listeriosis. As of Wednesday morning, the agency reported 12 confirmed cases of infection across California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. Ten of these cases required hospitalization.

“Whole genome sequencing has shown that the strain of Listeria found in patients is genetically identical to the strain isolated from Old World Creamery’s cheese,” said Dr. Maria Alvarez, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, in a statement. “This provides strong evidence linking the illnesses to consumption of these products.”

Officials are concerned that the number of reported illnesses may grow, as it can take up to 70 days for symptoms of listeriosis to appear after consuming a contaminated product. The CDC is actively interviewing sick individuals to better determine the full scope of the outbreak.

What Consumers Should Do

Health officials advise consumers who may have purchased these products to take the following steps:

1. Check your refrigerator for any of the recalled Old World Creamery cheeses.
2. Do not eat them. Dispose of the products immediately in a sealed bag in the trash.
3. Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
4. Clean your refrigerator, containers, and any surfaces that the cheese may have touched, as Listeria can survive at refrigerated temperatures and spread to other foods and surfaces.

Understanding the Dangers of Listeria Monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, it can grow even in the cold environment of a refrigerator. “Listeriosis is a particularly dangerous infection, especially for certain vulnerable populations,” explained Dr. Eleanor Vance, a professor of food science at Cornell University who is not involved in the investigation. “While a healthy person might only experience mild, short-term symptoms, the consequences can be severe for pregnant women, newborns, adults 65 or older, and individuals with compromised immune systems.”

Symptoms and At-Risk Groups

Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn. Anyone who has consumed the recalled cheese products and is experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical care and inform their doctor about the potential exposure.

Company and Industry Response

In a statement released Tuesday, John Miller, the CEO of Old-World Creamery, said the company is “deeply concerned” and is cooperating fully with federal regulators. “The health and safety of our customers is our absolute priority,” Miller’s statement read. “We have initiated a comprehensive review of our sanitation and safety protocols to understand how this could have happened and to ensure it does not happen again.”

Soft cheeses, particularly those made with pasteurized milk, have historically been a vehicle for Listeria outbreaks due to their high moisture content and low acidity, which provide a favorable environment for bacterial growth. The investigation into the full extent of the contamination is ongoing. The FDA will conduct further inspections at the Old-World Creamery facility and may expand the recall if more products are found to be at risk.

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