Local News

The ricotta salata cheese being recalled carries a Whole Foods scale label (FDA photo)

Whole Foods Market has recalled a cheese called ricotta salata that may be contaminated with sometimes fatal Listeria monocytogenes from stores in Seattle, Lynnwood, Bellevue and Redmond, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.All “sell by” dates through Oct. 2 may be carrying the organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.

Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Healthy individuals may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

In addition to six Puget Sound area locations, stores in 20 other states that sell the product supplied by Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY, were affected by the recall. Fourteen illnesses which may be associated with the recalled cheese have been reported to the FDA.

The 4,800 pounds of imported Italian cheese was first recalled by the Long Island supplier on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

The cheese is cut into wedges and packaged in clear plastic wrap with a Whole Foods Market scale label using the PLU 293427. The FDA says stores have signage posted about the recall and will refund customers who have purchased the product recently.

The specific Washington state stores affected are located in:

-Lynnwood at 2800 196th St. S.W.

-Seattle’s Interbay at 2001 15th Ave. W.

-Seattle’s Westlake at 2210 Westlake Ave.

-Seattle’s Roosevelt Square at 1026 N.E. 64th St.

-Bellevue at 888 116 Ave. N.E.

-Redmond at 17991 N.E. Redmond Way