CONTACT: JOHN HARRISON SWEETWATER VALLEY FARM, INC. 877-862-4332
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — MAY 15, 2008 — SWEETWATER VALLEY FARM, INC. OF PHILADELPHIA, TN IS RECALLING TENNESSEE AGED BLACK PEPPER CHEESE BECAUSE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH 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.
TENNESSEE AGED BLACK PEPPER CHEESE, LOT NUMBER 616-361 WAS DISTRIBUTED IN 5, 7, AND 10 OUNCE BARS THROUGH OUR RETAIL STORE IN PHILADELPHIA, TN AND A WINERY IN PORTLAND, TN. 
LESS THAN 100 POUNDS WAS DISTRIBUTED.
THIS PRODUCT WAS DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN DECEMBER 27, 2007 AND MAY 12, 2008.
NO ILLNESSES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
THE RECALL WAS THE RESULT OF A ROUTINE SAMPLING PROGRAM BY THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WHICH REVEALED THAT THE FINISHED PRODUCT CONTAINED THE BACTERIA. THE COMPANY HAS CEASED THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LOT AS THE COMPANY CONTINUES THEIR INVESTIGATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
CONSUMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED LOT NUMBER 616-361 OF THIS PRODUCT ARE URGED BRING IT TO THE STORE FOR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OR SHIP IT BACK TO THE STORE FOR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND.  CONTACT THE COMPANY’S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT 1-877-862-4332 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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