Bacteria found in California cheese products

Los Angeles, Aug 28 (IANS) Cheese products sold in California have been found tainted with listeria monocytogenes bacteria, officials said.

The products – labelled as Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheese Garlic Colby and Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheese Hot Pepper Colby – were produced in Missouri and sold in Los Angeles, San Diego, Mendocino and Santa Cruz counties, the California Department of Food and Agriculture was quoted as saying in a statement Friday.

The department said it has, however, received no report of illnesses, Xinhua reported.

Listeria monocytogenes may cause listeriosis among ‘at risk’ people – including pregnant women, newborns and people with weak immune systems, said Steve Lyle, the department’s director of public affairs.

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhoea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache and stiff neck can occur.

Infections during pregnancy can lead to serious problems for the foetus. Consumers should seek immediate medical care if they develop these symptoms, Lyle said.