Bleu Cheese Recalled Due to Salmonella Threat

Flat Creek Farm & Dairy of Swainsboro, Ga., has recalled 200 pounds of Heavenly Blue cheese, because of potential contamination. As of November 27, 2013 at 11:00am, according to Flat Creek records, all of the purchasers have been notified and more than 90% of the product has been collected or destroyed.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Heavenly Blue was distributed in certain parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida via and (3) online orders (www.flatcreekdairy.com), which have all been notified. The product is packed in clear plastic and ranges in sizes from 1/2 pound to whole wheels. The recall is specific to product marked with the lot code 130912XHB, which can be found on the front of the package.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished products were contaminated. The company has identified the source of the problem and has eliminated it from future batches.

The product that has been recalled is potentially contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications can include severe arthritis.

Consumers that have purchased this product are urged to return the product to the place of purchase. They may also call Flat Creek Dairy & Farm at 478-237-0123 from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. EST for more information.