CONSUMER ALERT: Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination in High Point Dairy Monterey Jack Raw Milk Cheeses

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today warned consumers not to consume Grandpa’s Way Monterey Jack, Jesse Ehst Monterey Jack, and Jesse Ehst Jack raw milk cheeses made by High Point Dairy located at 605 Fiery Hill Rd, Fort Plain NY 13339 due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. To date, no illnesses have been reported to the Department associated with this product.

The product is packaged in vacuum sealed clear plastic of unknown sizes with the names Grandpa’s Way Monterey Jack raw milk cheese manufactured 2/12/20, Jesse Ehst Monterey Jack raw milk cheese manufactured 3/20/20, and Jesse Ehst Jack raw milk cheese manufactured 4/9/20. The consumer alert affects all packages with these codes; however, any package with an unknown code date purchased after April 11, 2020 should not be consumed.

Distribution of these products is unknown.

The investigatory cheese samples were taken by staff from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services during a follow-up inspection of the facility on June 15, 2020, and were subsequently tested by the New York State Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On June 17, 2020, the manufacturer was notified of preliminary positive test results. Test results were confirmed as positive for Listeria monocytogenes on June 23, 2020. The remaining cheese will be destroyed by the manufacturer.

Listeria-contaminated product may cause Listeriosis, a disease that usually causes mild flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals; however, in immune-compromised individuals, meningitis and blood poisoning can occur. Pregnant women are also considered a high-risk group, as Listeriosis can also result in stillbirths.

Consumers with questions about the recalled product can contact Eli Ray King from High Point Dairy at (717) 951-9101.