Cheese Recall Expands to Hawaii

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health today announced that a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voluntary recall of cheese has expanded to include Hawaii.

The product, President Brie Soft-Ripened Cheese, is being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer, Lactalis USA of Turlock, CA, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

The department recommends that consumers discard or return the product to the store where they purchased it. The cheese is packaged in green foil (herb) or gold foil (plain) in seven-ounce and six-ounce wedges. Items affected have a "sell by" date of 01/10/04 to 03/02/04. Wholesalers or distributors had been notified by Lactalis USA to recall the affected product.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at www.lactalis-usa.com or the state Food and Drug Branch at 586-4725.

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Margaret Yung/Wilbert Kubota
Food and Drug Branch
Phone: (808) 586-4725

Laura M. Lott
Department of Health
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@mail.health.state.hi.us