Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Recall Alert

Attention: 
Please forward the following information to your Environmental Public Health Specialist as soon as possible.

To: Local Public Health Agencies
From: Russell Lilly, Food Processing Program Manager
Date: October 22, 2010
Subject: Ropp Jersey Cheese Recall

The Illinois Department of Public Health notified us of the following recall involving Ropp Jersey Cheese because of a possible antibiotic contamination.  The Ropp Jersey company sells its product to several stores in the St. Louis area, however, the Ropp Jersey company believes none of the affected lots of this recalled cheese was sold in those stores.  However, those stores & locations where Ropp Jersey cheese is sold are as follows:

Fair Shares CCSA                                Friar Tuck’s
5021 North Rup                                    792 Gravois Buffs Boulevard
St. Louis, MO                                        Fenton, MO  63026

Local Harvest                                        Friar Tuck’s
3148 Morgan Ford Road                      9053 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO  63116                            St. Louis, MO  63126

Friar Tuck’s
4635 Highway K
O'Fallon, Mo 63366

According to the press release, Schnucks has the Ropp Jersey Cheese, but according to the Ropp Jersey Company, there are no Schnucks stores in Missouri that carry the Ropp Jersey Cheese.  The stores listed above have been notified to remove this product, if they have any, and the affected county health departments have been notified to perform effectiveness checks to ensure the product has been removed. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   CONTACT:  Melaney Arnold
October 22, 2010                                                                      Communications Manager
(217) 558-0500                                                                         www.idph.state.il.us

Ropp Jersey Cheese Being Recalled - Possible antibiotic contamination

SPRINGFIELD – – Ropp Jersey Cheese, LLC, located at 2676 Ropp Road, Normal, Illinois is voluntarily recalling some of its cheese products because the product may contain antibiotics.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) discovered the problem during a routine review of the plant’s antibiotic screening log, which indicated the product was not being tested as required.  Individuals who are allergic to antibiotics may have adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis, cardiac arrhythmias, endocrine abnormalities and cutaneous eruptions. The Department has not received any reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. 

The recall involves all cheese products manufactured with the following sell by dates:

• 4/10/11
• 4/11/11
• 4/17/11 through 4/19/11
• 6/1/11
• 6/8/11 through 6/11/11
• 6/17/11 through 6/27/11
• 7/4/11 through 7/10/11
• 7/16/11 through 7/28/11
• 8/4/11 through 8/7/11
• 8/14/11 through 8/28/11
• 9/5/11 through 9/10/11
• 9/12/11

Products were sold at various stores and wineries across Illinois, including Schnucks and Friar Tucks.  Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for product replacement.  Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact Ray Ropp, the plant’s owner, at 309-454-1760.