FDA issues urgent recalls of cheese and Publix rice and pigeon peas for listeria and undeclared soy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced two urgent recalls this week tied to potential contamination and undeclared allergens in consumer foods. Boss Dairy Farms is recalling one lot of Charlevoix Cheese Company 8-ounce Mild Cheddar Cheese for potential listeria contamination. The product is sold in an 8-ounce block in clear plastic with UPC 850056642057. The back of the package bears lot number 13220025 and a best-by date of October 20, 2026. The cheese was distributed to retail locations in Michigan, and no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall. The FDA says consumers should destroy the cheese or return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria is a serious infection that can affect healthy people but poses the greatest risk to pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Public health estimates suggest about 1,250 Americans are infected with listeria each year, resulting in roughly 1,000 hospitalizations and about 170 deaths. Symptoms can appear within 24 hours in milder cases and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea; in more serious instances, the bacteria can invade the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Pregnant women face additional risk, including a higher likelihood of stillbirth or miscarriage. The recall was initiated after routine testing by the company detected contamination.

In a separate recall, A.S.K. Foods, LLC, based in Pennsylvania, is recalling select 32-ounce containers of Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas because the product contains undeclared soy, which could pose a life-threatening risk of an allergic reaction. The recalled product was sold only in Publix stores in Florida. It was packaged in a plastic tray where the top label identifies Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas, Net Wt. 32 OZ (2 LB) 907, while the bottom label lists Cavatappi Pasta as the first ingredient and includes codes on the lid: 5387-4, 5387-5, or 5387-6. The recall notes that the pasta packaging used a label intended for the Three Cheese Mac & Cheese, which did not disclose soy, yet the soy allergen is present in the pasta and peas product. For the nearly 2 million Americans with soy allergies, consumption could trigger mild symptoms such as hives and itching or more severe reactions like anaphylaxis. The FDA is urging consumers who bought the product to return it to the store for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.