Whole Foods has pulled seven types of cheddar cheese from its shelves as a precaution over the risk of listeria or E. Coli. The cheeses come packaged in clear plastic wrap with a sticker across it reading "Distributed by Whole Foods Market." They are part of a factory wide recall announced by the cheese producer, Bravo Farms. Most readers of this column needn't fear: Florida's Whole Foods markets don't carry this brand.
Bravo, an artisan producer that specializes in raw milk cheese, pulled all of its shipments after state officials found listeria its' plant in Traver, California. Bravo had recalled its Dutch Style Gouda earlier in the month after it had been linked to an E. Coli outbreak that sickened 38 people in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. The gouda had been part of a cheese-promo roadshow that took it to about 50 Costco warehouses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
There is a simple rule-of-thumb that, if followed, would have prevented this mess: Cheese doesn't travel well, and raw milk cheese travels much worse.
