Karmactive Staff
An Ohio cheese maker has pulled thousands of pounds of cheese from store shelves due to potential Listeria contamination. Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op in Middlefield, Ohio announced the voluntary recall on August 18 after finding bacteria during after its own testing found Listeria.
The recall affects over 5,000 pounds of cheese sold exclusively in Ohio between July 14 and August 7, 2025. Specific products include White Cheddar (4,544 pounds), Monterey Jack (640 pounds), Grass-Fed Pepper Jack (246 pounds), and Horseradish Flavored Cheese (2.5 pounds).
Consumers should check their refrigerators for these specific products and lot codes:
- Middlefield 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese with lot code 251661
- Copia Collective 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese with lot code 251661
- Middlefield Horseradish Flavored Cheese with lot code 2524061
- Middlefield Monterey Jack and Farmers Cheese with lot code 251672 or code 7-16-25B for 40-pound blocks
The contamination stemmed from environmental bacteria that reached food-contact surfaces in the production facility. No illnesses have been reported so far, and the company has suspended production while investigating the source.
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Listeria poses special risks for pregnant women, older adults, children, and people with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals typically experience only short-term symptoms like fever, headache, muscle stiffness, nausea and diarrhea, the infection can cause serious complications in vulnerable groups.
“Early symptoms of Listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne illnesses,” explained Mary O’Riordan, a University of Michigan microbiology professor. “Unfortunately, sometimes Listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis.”
What makes Listeria particularly concerning is its ability to grow even in refrigerated foods. The CDC estimates about 1,600 Americans are infected annually, with 260 deaths.
Customers who purchased the recalled cheese should discard it or return it to the store for a refund. Those with questions can contact Middlefield’s General Manager Nevin Byler at 440-632-5567 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM ET).
This recall comes amid similar recent actions, including a separate mid-August recall of Wegmans soft-ripened cheese, highlighting ongoing concerns with ready-to-eat dairy products.
