Imitation cream cheese and “peanot” butter products recalled

Cambrooke Foods has issued an urgent recall of batches of three products:

• Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10310; 8 oz. jar);
• Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10308; 8 oz. jar); and
• Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10306; 8 oz. jar).
• Low Protein Peanot Butter (SKU 10809; 16 oz. jar).

Listeria monocytogenes

The company says the recall was issued as precaution “because some of these products may be contaminated 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.”

“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” the company says:

To learn more read the company’s press release about the recall:

URGENT: FOOD PRODUCT RECALL RE: IMITATION CREAM CHEESE AND LOW PROTEIN PEANOT BUTTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Framingham, MA — December 11, 2008 — Dear Valued Customer:

Cambrooke Foods® is announcing a voluntary recall of all batches of the following products:

• Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10310; 8 oz. jar);
• Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10308; 8 oz. jar); and
• Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10306; 8 oz. jar).

Cambrooke Foods® is undertaking this voluntary recall as a precaution because some of these products may be contaminated 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. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

For the above-listed Imitation Cream Cheese products, Listeria monocytogenes was detected through routine batch testing of product at a company facility before it was sent to customers. These batches of Imitation Cream Cheese products were destroyed.

While no reports of adverse events have been reported with any product shipped to our customers, we are taking the precautionary step to recall all Imitation Cream Cheese products, regardless of batch number.

To be abundantly cautious and proactive, Cambrooke Foods® is also conducting a market withdrawal of all batches of:

• Low Protein Peanot Butter™ (SKU 10809; 16 oz. jar).

This product is being withdrawn because it is produced in the same facility and using the same machinery used to produce the Imitation Cream Cheese products.

Testing has not confirmed Listeria contamination in any batch of Low Protein Peanot Butter™ nor have any adverse events been reported as a result of its consumption. No other Cambrooke Foods™ product is produced using this machinery.

Cambrooke Foods™ is working directly with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the cause of this contamination. Cambrooke Foods™ has voluntarily suspended manufacture and distribution of these products pending its investigation.

If you have purchased any of these products since May 2008, please take the following actions immediately:

1. discard all units of these products remaining in your possession;

2. complete the online Recall Response Form CLICK HERE TO OPEN FORM

If you have questions or require further information, contact Cambrooke Foods® toll-free 866-456-9776, ext. 1015, or via email at safetyfirst@cambrookefoods.com

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter. Please visit our website for regular updates.

Sincerely,

David Paolella, CEO
Lynn Paolella, President
Cambrooke Foods, LLC

Photo Credit: CDC/ Dr. Balasubr Swaminathan; Peggy Hayes

Tags: Cream Cheese, Food Safety, Food-borne illnesses, Listeria, Peanut Butter, Produce Recall

Category: Diet & Nutrition, Product Recall