Ricotta cheese brand recalled for listeria threat

Thursday, November 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A New Jersey company is recalling 6,700 pounds of ricotta cheese, sold under the brand name PINA Ricotta Salata cheese, because it may be contaminated with life-threatening listeria.

Included in the recall are all precut pieces of the cheese that have sell-by dates between Jan. 4, 2003, and Feb. 20, 2003, as well as bulk cheese sold to retailers with the code ``PD 5-23-02'' on the shipping carton.

People should not eat any of the recalled cheese but should return it to the place of purchase for a refund, said Schratter Foods Inc. of Fairfield, N.J., the brand's distributor.

Listeria is a food-poisoning germ that causes such symptoms as fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea in healthy people. But it can be fatal to young children, the elderly and the weak _ and it can cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women even if the mother experienced no symptoms.

Schratter recalled the ricotta brand after routine testing by Georgia inspectors uncovered bacteria.

Consumers with questions may call Schratter at 201-641-6851.