Product Recalled:
Various brands Shropshire Blue and Blue Stilton Cheese Products

Product Information:
This recall is limited to the following Blue Stilton and Shropshire Blue Cheese Products:

• Ilchester Shropshire Blue, 12 oz, lot 3052822700- exp date: 2/10/09

• Ilchester Shropshire Blue, 7 to 9 oz, lot 3052828700- exp date: 4/19/09

• Ilchester Shropshire Blue, 1/8 lb, lot 3052835200- exp date: 4/27/09

• Ilchester Shropshire Blue, 1/16 lb, lot 3375821700- exp date: julian code 8217

• Ilchester BabyBlue Stilton, 2/5 lb,lot 3375834000, 3375829500-exp date:julian code 8340,8295

• Ilchester Blue Stilton, 1/8 lb, lot 3375828400- exp date: julian code 8284

• Ilchester Blue Stilton, 2/9 lb, lot 3375828400, 3375821700, 3375833300, 3375829400, 3375827800, 3375824500, 3357816400- exp date: julian code 8284, 8217, 8333 , 8294, 8278, 8245, 8164

• Ilchester Blue Stilton, 1/9 lb, lot 3375833600, 3375829400, 3375824500, 3758162000, 3375825200- exp date: julian code 8336, 8294, 8245, 8162, 8252

• Ilchester Blue Stilton, 1/16 lb, lot 3375825400- exp date: julian code 8254

• Ilchester Blue Stilton, 18/1 lb, lot 3052829500, 3052830800 exp date: 4/19/09, 5/2/09

• Ilchester Blue Silton, 6/3.5 oz crock, lot 2216832300, exp date: 3/26/09

• Global Cheese Market Stilton, 7 to 9 oz,  lot 714568, 714720, exp date: 3/22/09, 3/29/09

• Global Cheese Market Stilton, 1/5 lb, lot 713939, 715973, 716368 exp date: 3/9/09, 5/3/09, 5/17/09

• Trader Joe's Blue Stilton purchased on or before 12/31/08. Film-wrapped.  

• Trader Joe's Shropshire Blue Cheese purchased on or before 1/4/09. Film-wrapped. 

• Cropwell Bishop Creamery Blue Stilton purchased on or before 12/31/08

• Cropwell Bishop Creamery Shropshire Blue Cheese purchased on or before 12/31/08.

Recalling Firm :
Cropwell Bishop Creamery Limited
England

Consumers with questions about the recalled product may contact the company at: 

• (201) 508-6426 (for all Ilchester or Global Cheese Market products identified above) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST
• (513) 751-4490 (for all Trader Joe's or Cropwell Bishop Creamery products identified above) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST

Problem/Reason for Recall:
The recalled product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. 

The potential for contamination was noted after recent testing of the cheese.  The cause of the potential problem has already been corrected.  No other products other than those identified above are affected by this recall. 

There have been no complaints received and no illnesses reported in the United States.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of this recall. 

Distribution:   Nationwide to retail stores

Press Release:    Yes 

FDA for more information