FDA announced that New York-based 4C Foods Corp. is voluntarily recalling some of its grated cheeses after inspectors identified a possible salmonella contamination risk. Though no illnesses were reported in relation to the products, the company is still recalling them after testing revealed issues. For people who bought the product, they can return the product to the places where they were bought for a full refund.
Grated Cheese Products Recalled
The company is recalling 4C Grated Cheese, Homestyle Grated Cheese and Cento Grated Cheese, which were distributed nationwide and packed in 6 oz. vacuum-sealed glass jars. The products had best by dates between Nov. 12, 2016 and Nov. 12, 2018, and were packed in cases of either 6 or 12 jars per case. Retail stores and distributors are requested to immediately remove and discard any of the reported products.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recalled products have the following UPC codes:
C All Natural Parmesan Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-33126)
4C All Natural Parmesan/Romano Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-37126)
4C All Natural 100% Imported Italian Pecorino Romano Cheese (UPC 41387-77126)
4C HomeStyle All Natural Parmesan Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-32790)
4C HomeStyle All Natural Parmesan/Romano Grated Cheese (UPC 41387-11627)
4C HomeStyle All Natural 100% Imported Italian Pecorino Romano Cheese (UPC 41387-12302)
Cento Parmesan Grated Cheese (UPC 70796-90502)
Cento Romano Grated Cheese (UPC 70796-90501)
What Is Salmonella?
As reported by Wave3 News, Salmonella is an organism that can cause illnesses in healthy people, leading to fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Those illnesses can be serious or fatal in the elderly, the young and those with compromised immune systems. As CDC mentioned, it was discovered by an American scientist named Dr. Salmon, and has been known to cause illness for over 125 years.
Children are at highest risk for Salmonella infection. Kids under the age of 5 have higher rates of the infection than other age groups. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely prone to have infections. A small number of people with Salmonella develop pain in their joints. This is called reactive arthritis which can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis.
