5 western states recall for Bravo Farms cheddar cheese sold at Whole Foods Market under their own label, may cause E.coli

from the company press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – AUSTIN, TX (November 24, 2010) – Whole Foods Market announces that one of its suppliers, Bravo Farms of Traver, California, has issued a voluntary recall due to evidence of Listeria and E. coli contamination at their plant. Bravo’s products at Whole Foods Market stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are part of this recall since they were cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a “Distributed by Whole Foods Market” sticker.

All of the following products are included in this recall:

• Sage Cheddar
• Silver Mountain Cheddar
• Chipotle Cheddar
• Premium Block Cheddar
• Premium White Chunk Cheddar
• Chipotle Chunk Cheddar
• White Black Wax Cheddar

Signage is posted in Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased any of the listed products from Whole Foods Market may return them to the store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Whole Foods Market at 512-542-0878.

E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrhea illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure. Young children and the elderly are most susceptible to serious complications and even death. Listeria can cause listeriosis among at risk people, including pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache and stiff neck can occur. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to more serious problems for the fetus. Consumers should seek immediate medical care if they develop these symptoms.

As I walked out of Lowe’s today, I noticed all the grills lined up outside almost like a bunch of would-be American Idol contestants waiting for their chance to be seen or heard, or in this case, fired up.

While Memorial Day is the official kick-off weekend for grill usage in most of the U.S., we Tucsonans can grill turkeys for Thanksgiving while marching to our own barbequing biological clock.

Here’s what a few food markets are offering this coming 4th of July holiday weekend:

Whole Foods Market
All natural hot dogs and veggie dogs will be 50% off from July 2 through 5 – such a deal. Wine is 20% off when you buy six bottles or more during the same dates. At 3360 E. Speedway Blvd. (520.795.9844), sample wine during two free tastings on Friday, July 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 4 from noon to 2 p.m. 

Independencia de los Estados Unidos
Food City offers boneless beef chuck steak for $1.69/lb., bone-in country style pork ribs at $.89/lb., and raw shrimp (71 to 90 ct.) for $2.99/lb.; Food City hot dog and hamburger buns (8 ct.) for $.99/package while a one pound package of Bar-S meat franks is $.69. Freshly made tortillas are available at selected stores.

At Food City you can also make a donation at the cash register to help the families of the victims of the terrible Hermosillo daycare center fire.
Parking Lot Extravaganza
Stop by the Sunflower Market at 4282 N. 1st Avenue from 3 to 6 p.m. for a 4th of July celebration of cotton candy, games, and more.

All three Tucson Sunflower Markets are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. This week, deals include bing cherries for $.99/lb., seedless watermelon $.33/lb., 4-oz. frozen lobster tails for $3.97/each, hot dog and hamburger buns (6 ct.) for $1.99/package, and all natural pork spareribs for $1.99/lb.

And don’t forget those condiments of mustard, relish, ketchup or catsup, BBQ sauce, mayo, soy sauce, salsa, and of course, pickles.