CLASS I Food recall · Reported 24 Oct 2012 · FDA Enforcement Report

Frescolina and Mitica Ricotta Salata cheeses were cut into wedges recalled

Whole Foods Market is recalling Frescolina and Mitica Ricotta Salata cheeses were cut into wedges, distributed nationwide in the US. The recall was initiated on 11 Sep 2012 and the FDA has classified it as Class I.

Check your package

Lot, batch or date codesFrescolina Ricotta Salata PLU 293427. Mitica Ricotta Salata PLU 294413. All with Sell by dates Oct 2, 2012.
Quantity recalledApproximately 2500 lbs

Do not eat it. Return it to the store for a refund or throw it away. If you have symptoms after eating it, contact a doctor.

Recall details

Recall number
F-0110-2013
FDA event ID
63184
Recalling firm
Whole Foods Market, Austin, TX
Classification
Class I
Status
Terminated
Recall initiated
11 Sep 2012
FDA classified
12 Oct 2012
Reported
24 Oct 2012
Type
Voluntary: Firm initiated
Customers notified by
Letter
Reason category
Listeria
Product category
Ready Meals

Timeline

11 Sep 2012Recall initiated by company
12 Oct 2012Classified by FDA+31 days
24 Oct 2012Published in enforcement report+12 days

Companies usually start a recall weeks before the FDA classifies and publishes it; the gap above is that lag.

Reason for recall

Whole Foods Market announces that it is recalling ricotta salata sold in 21 states and Washington, D.C. that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY. Forever Cheese recalled this cheese product because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail

Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigerator temperatures. Infection is most dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can appear up to 70 days after eating contaminated food.

Product as listed by the FDA

Frescolina and Mitica brand Ricotta Salata cheeses were cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427 and PLU 294413, respectively. All "sell by" dates through Oct. 2 are affected.

Where it was distributed

Nationwide to 21 states

Nationwide

Stores named: Whole Foods

Questions about this recall

Why was it recalled?

Whole Foods Market announces that it is recalling ricotta salata sold in 21 states and Washington, D.C. that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY. Forever Cheese recalled this cheese product because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail

Which lots are affected?

Frescolina Ricotta Salata PLU 293427. Mitica Ricotta Salata PLU 294413. All with Sell by dates Oct 2, 2012.

Where was it sold?

Nationwide to 21 states

What should I do if I have it?

Do not eat it. Return it to the store for a refund or throw it away. If you have symptoms after eating it, contact a doctor.

What does Class I mean?

Class I is the most serious FDA recall category: there is a reasonable probability that using the product will cause serious health consequences or death.

Read the official FDA notice · Source record retrieved 26 Sep 2026. The FDA describes openFDA data as unvalidated; the official notice takes precedence. This page reports the record and gives no medical advice.

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