Officials have recalled an Italian cheese sold in Ontario and Quebec after finding a staph bacterial contamination.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued the recall on Friday for Yotvata brand Caciotta Peperoncino Cheese – a semi-soft Italian cheese infused with chilli flakes.
Testing discovered a microbial contamination of Staphylococcus aureus, which Health Canada says is a “pathogen that can cause a variety of self-limiting to life-threatening diseases in humans,” including toxic shock syndrome.
“Mortality is very high and death can occur within (two) hours,” Health Canada says.
Symptoms of infection include high fever, vascular collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension and rash.
The recalled product has the UCP code 8 00395 0003017 and a best-before date of May 31, 2027.
“Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says.
The cheese was imported by Altra Foods Inc., the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says.
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Dining and Cooking