After death, Minn. health dept. warns of Listeria in soft cheese
A Listeria outbreak linked to a soft, Brie-style cheese has sickened two people in Minnesota. And one of the victims has died.
The Minnesota Department of Health says both people became ill after eating products made by Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics Cheese based in Wisconsin. Cases in at least three other states have also been traced back to the company's products.
Mary Choi of the state health department said consumers should discard any Crave Brothers cheese still in their refrigerator.
"If they have any of this Crave Brothers Cheese and in particular we are focusing on the Les Freres, the Petit Frere, and the Petit Frere with Truffles, that they refrain from eating it. Just don't eat it," Choi said.
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Both Minnesota victims were older adults who became ill in early June.
Choi said older people are especially susceptible to severe complications from Listeria exposure, as are pregnant women, babies and people with compromised immune systems.
She said Listeria-related disease doesn't occur that often.
"But it's the third-leading cause of death from food poisoning," Choi said.
Crave Brothers has issued a voluntary recall of the products.