FDA Issues Listeria Warning Linked to 2 Cheddar Cheese Items

The FDA has announced a food recall for two cheddar cheese products amid potential Listeria contamination stemming from a New Jersey importer's supplier.

The FDA has issued a warning regarding two types of Wicklow Farmhouse-branded cheese.
The FDA has issued a warning regarding two types of Wicklow Farmhouse-branded cheese.
Image provided by FDA

Abbey Specialty Foods, a Fairfield, N.J.-based cheese importer and distributor, is recalling Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive 5.2 oz product and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz product due to their potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

The FDA says the products can be identified by reviewing the batch number, UPC, and sell by date on their back labels, detailed in the table below:FDA's Wicklow Cheese TableThe two cheddar cheese products were the only ones subject to recall.Image provided by FDAAs of Jan. 3, 2025, the FDA has found no confirmed reports of adverse health events due to the products’ consumptions. However, the organization still warns of possible pathogen effects if consumed. 

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail, the elderly, or people with wakened immune system. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as a fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The pathogen may cause severe pregnancy complications in women.

The FDA advises consumers to refrain from consuming the aforementioned cheese products and either return them to their place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them. 

Abbey Specialty Foods' recall is one of the first Listeria cases reported in 2025 after the concerning surge in 2024.


Read this story about the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service's protective measures update in light of 2024's Listeria recall uptick. 

The FDA continues to coordinate with food suppliers to help keep consumers and processors updated and safe.

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