Key keywords: cheese recall 2024, listeria outbreak, food safety alert, recalled dairy products, Listeria monocytogenes, grocery store cheese recall, deadly foodborne illness, FDA food recall, contaminated soft cheese The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an urgent public health advisory on May 22, 2024, announcing a voluntary recall of 18 cheese varieties manufactured by Midwest-based Artisan Cheese Co. following a widespread listeria outbreak that has killed two people and hospitalized 11 others across 12 U.S. states. As of the latest update, 27 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection have been linked to the contaminated products, with victims ranging in age from 28 to 89 years old. High-risk groups, including adults over 65, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant people, make up 90% of the reported cases, with one pregnant patient suffering a miscarriage after consuming a recalled cottage cheese product earlier this month. The recall covers all cheese products produced at Artisan Cheese Co.’s Wisconsin production facility between March 1 and May 10, 2024, including popular soft cheese varieties such as brie, camembert, blue cheese, goat cheese, flavored cottage cheese, and ricotta. These products were distributed to 32 states across the country and sold at major national grocery chains including Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s, as well as independent specialty cheese shops. Consumers are advised to check their fridge immediately for any products matching the recalled UPC codes listed on the FDA’s official recall page, even if the product appears unspoiled or is only partially consumed. Unlike most foodborne bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes can grow and multiply at standard refrigerator temperatures, meaning even properly stored products can carry dangerous levels of the pathogen if contaminated. Anyone who has consumed a recalled product and develops symptoms of listeriosis – including fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and severe headache – should seek immediate medical attention, as the infection can progress to life-threatening meningitis or sepsis in high-risk individuals within 72 hours of exposure. The FDA is currently conducting a full investigation into the source of the contamination, with initial testing detecting Listeria monocytogenes on a cheese packaging line at the Artisan Cheese Co. facility. The company has suspended all operations at the facility indefinitely and is working with regulators to implement new sanitation protocols to prevent future outbreaks. Consumers who have purchased recalled products are eligible for a full refund from the retailer where they were purchased, even without a receipt. Health officials also recommend thoroughly cleaning any refrigerator drawers or surfaces that came into contact with recalled cheese products with a bleach-based disinfectant to eliminate cross-contamination risks for other food items.