Cheese spreads may be contaminated with Listeria

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland health officials are warning that cheese spreads made in Potomac might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene say in a news release Friday that tests show that some products made by Picnic Gourmet Spreads may be contaminated.

The department says routine retail sampling and subsequent analysis revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products.

The products include Red Pepper Feta Cheese Spread, Moroccan Cilantro Cheese Spread, Tandoori Garlic Cheese Spread, Herbed Goat Cheese, Parmesan Cheese Spread, and Chipotle Sage Cheese Spread.

The spreads were distributed to stores in Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

The agency says Picnic Gourmet Spreads has ceased production. Health officials say anyone who has Picnic Gourmet Spreads products should throw them away.

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