On Friday, the FDA reported that Meijer was recalling Meijer Brand Colby and Colby Jack Deli Cheese sold exclusively through its deli counters from November 10, 2016 to February 9, 2017 due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. While some individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths among pregnant women, and complications in the frail, elderly,or individuals with health issues or weakened immune systems. The warning states:
Meijer received notice of a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination from MDS Foods, a Meijer supplier that sources the Meijer branded cheeses from Deutsch Kase Haus, a cheese manufacturer based in Middlebury, Indiana. MDS Foods informed Meijer that evidence of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination had been identified by the manufacturer.
The recalled product will be in plastic deli packaging with printed labels that have the UPCs 215927xxxxxx or 215938xxxxxx – the last 6 digits will vary, and are determined by weight since the product was purchased at the deli counter.
The next day on February 11, 2017, MDS Foods, Inc. (who supplied the cheese to Meijer and also sold other cheese products being recalled) also issued a recall warning posted by the FDA stating:
MDS Foods Inc., of Massillon, OH is recalling multiple products some of which were found to be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and other products which may have the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria.
Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana, supplied MDS Foods with Colby and Colby Jack minihorn cheeses that have been found to be contaminated with the pathogenic organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.***
Affected and potentially affected products were distributed by MDS Foods Inc. under multiple brand labels and distributed nationwide. Please refer to the list below.
Cheese products being recalled due to found contamination from cheese supplier
| MDS Foods Item # |
Brand | Description | Product Size | Piece UPC Code | Case UPC Code | Date Code |
| 55209 | Amish Classics |
Colby Deli (Mini) Horn | 6 lb | 8 28653 552093 | 00 8 28653 55209 3 | Sell by: May 17, 2017 |
| 55241 | Amish Classics |
Colby RW Fullmoon | Approx. 8 oz | 8 28653 55241 3 | 00 8 28653 55241 3 | Best if used by: 07/10/17 7/4/2017 6/4/2017 5/19/2017 |
| 55245 | Amish Classics |
Colby EW Fullmoon | 8 oz | 8 28653 55245 1 | 00 8 28653 55245 1 | Best if used by:
7/10/2017 7/4/2017 6/3/2017 5/19/2017 |
| 55831 | Deli Readi |
Colby Mini Cheese Slices |
2 lb pack | 6 34660 62859 7 | 00 6 34660 62859 7 | Best if used by: 05/02/2017 4/22/2017 |
| 55553 | Deli Made EZ |
Colby Cheese Slices |
1.5 lb pack | 8 28653 55554 4 | 00 8 28653 55553 7 | 335-16 |
| 18755 | Meijer | Colby Jack Mini Horn |
6 lb | 710917 18755 | 7 10917 18755 | Sell by Date: 05/02/17 |
| 55755 | Meijer | Colby Mini Horn | 6 lb | 710917 55755 | 7 10917 55755 | Sell by Date: 05/02/17 |
Cheese products being recalled due to potential contamination
| MDS Foods Item # | Brand | Description | Product Size |
Piece UPC Code | Case UPC Code | Date Code |
| 55244 | Amish Classics |
Colby RW Halfmoon |
Approx. 8 oz |
N/A | 0 08 28653 55244 4 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 55758 | Meijer | Colby EW Halfmoon | 8 oz | 7 13733 34047 2 | 0 07 13733 34047 2 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 18244 | Amish Classics |
Colby Jack RW Halfmoon | Approx. 8 oz |
N/A | 00828653182443 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 18758 | Meijer | Colby Jack EW Halfmoon Chunk |
8 oz | 713733340588 | 00713733340588 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 18241 | Amish Classics |
Colby Jack RW Fullmoon |
Approx. 8 oz |
N/A | 0 08 28653 18241 2 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 18245 | Amish Classics |
Colby Jack EW Fullmoon |
8 oz | 828653182450 | 00828653182450 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 |
| 28245 | Amish Classics |
Cheddar EW Fullmoon |
8 oz | 828653282457 | 00828653282457 | Best if used by: 07/10/2017 07/04/2017 |
| 73705 | Lipari Old Tyme |
Swiss Sandwich Cut |
Approx 8.5 lbs |
N/A | 00828653737056 | Best if used by: 07/04/2017 |
| 10241 | Amish Classics |
Jalapeno RW Fullmoon | Approx. 8 oz |
N/A | 0 08 28653 10241 0 | Best if used by: 07/04/2017 |
| 10245 | Amish Classics |
Jalapeno EW Fullmoon |
8 oz | 828653102458 | 00828653102458 | Best if used by: 07/04/2017 |
| 18830 | Deli Readi | Colby Jack St Pk 1oz Halfmoon Slice |
1 lb | 6 34660 62875 7 | 006 34660 62875 7 | Best if used by: 05/02/2017 |
| 10831 | Deli Readi | Jalapeno St Pk 1oz Slice |
2 lb pack | 6 34660 62878 8 | 0 06 34660 62878 8 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 26831 | Deli Readi | Hot Pepper St Pk 1oz Slice | 2 lb pack | 6 34660 62868 9 | 0 06 34660 62868 9 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 26555 | Deli Made EZ |
Hot Pepper St Pk .5oz Slice |
1.5 lb pack |
8 28653 26555 9 | 0 08 28653 26555 9 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 28747 | Duck Deli | Cheddar St Pk .75oz Slice |
1.5 lb pack |
8 28653 28747 6 | 0 08 28653 28747 6 | Production Date: 358-16 |
| 28545 | Deli Made EZ |
Cheddar St Pk .75oz Slice | 2.0 lb pack | 8 28653 28545 8 | 0 08 28653 28545 8 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 28555 | Deli Made EZ |
Ched Mild Stk Pk .5oz Slice | 1.5 lb pack | 8 28653 28555 7 | 0 08 28653 28555 7 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 55830 | Deli Readi | Colby St Pk 1oz Halfmoon Slices |
1.0 lb pack | 6 34660 62872 6 | 0 06 34660 62872 6 | Best if used by: 04/22/2017 |
| 55703 | Old Tyme | Colby EW Halfmoon | 8 oz | 0 94776 10227 3 | 0 00 41563 26105 7 | Best if used by: 06/03/2017 |
| 10555 | Deli Made EZ |
Jalapeno Jack St Pk .5oz Slice |
1.5 lb pack |
8 28653 10555 8 | 0 08 28653 10555 8 | Best if used by: 03/30/2017 |
How We Can Help:
If you or someone you love has consumed one of these cheese products and suffered illness, you should be aware of this recall and the FDA safety announcement.
Attorney Pamela A. Borgess, the founder of Borgess Law, LLC, has successfully represented multiple clients who have sustained serious injury or whose loved ones have died as a result of defective or recalled products, including contaminated food products. Attorney Borgess will happy to discuss your legal options. For more information about the recall or safety alert, or to discuss a potential claim, contact Borgess Law at (567) 455-5955 or toll-free at (844) LAW-9144. You can also contact Borgess Law by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law never charges for initial consultations. We welcome any questions you may have.