Motor City Gouda Recalled for Listeria Risk

DETROIT — Consumers who recently purchased artisanal cheese from Motor City Cheese Co. are being urged to check their refrigerators following a voluntary recall issued by the Detroit-based creamery. The company announced Wednesday that its "Motor City Meltdown Smoked Gouda" may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacterium that can cause severe illness.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected the presence of the bacteria within the company’s processing facility. While Motor City Cheese Co. reports that there have been no confirmed cases of illness linked to the products to date, the company is acting out of an abundance of caution to prevent potential outbreaks.

The affected products were distributed to specialty grocery stores and deli counters across five states: Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

The recall specifically impacts 8-ounce and 16-ounce wedges of the Smoked Gouda purchased between January 1, 2024, and February 10, 2024. Consumers should inspect their packaging for the following identifiers:

Best By dates: March 15, 2024, through April 30, 2024 Lot numbers: MCH-2401, MCH-2402, MCH-2403, MCH-2404, or MCH-2405

The lot number is typically located on the side or the back label of the packaging.

Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy bacterium that can survive and thrive in cold environments, such as refrigerators, making it a persistent threat in food production. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis—the infection caused by the bacteria—can be particularly severe for high-risk populations.

While healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the bacteria can be life-threatening for those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and young children. For pregnant individuals, the consequences are especially grave, as listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe infection of the newborn.

"Food safety is our highest priority," a spokesperson for Motor City Cheese Co. said in a statement. "We are working closely with federal authorities to identify the source of the contamination and are reviewing our sanitization protocols to ensure this does not happen again."

The company is advising all customers to immediately stop consuming the product. Those in possession of the recalled cheese should dispose of it in a sealed container or return the item to the original place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information or to ask questions regarding the recall, customers can contact the Motor City Cheese Co. customer service line at 1-800-555-CHEESE. The line is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Consumers are also encouraged to visit the FDA’s official website at www.fda.gov/recalls for ongoing updates regarding this and other food safety alerts. Anyone who believes they may have consumed the contaminated product and is experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

For related local information, explore more local reporting, the business directory, and local job listings. These desks have their own coverage dates and source notices.