Toll expected to rise in coming days and months.

With the CDC reporting a Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis linked to Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata Cheese imported by Forever Cheese sickening 14 with three deaths in 11 states, some would say this import ban is a little late. Here is the notice posted on the FDA website:

Forever Cheese has decided to stop importing and selling all products produced by Fattorie Chiarappa Srl. Ricotta Salata Frescolina, Marte brand Roasted Ricotta and Hard Ricotta Salata will be discontinued immediately.

We are contacting all of our customers asking you to destroy whatever you have in house and to notify us so we may issue you a credit. This includes ALL lots and ALL production codes of Marte brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata cheese due to the possible contamination from Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Hopefully, this recall notification pulls this product off store shelves and people’s home. However, with the recall notice coming only a week ago, and with an incubation period of 3-70 days, Listeria cases may well be counted for months to come.