ALDI is Recalling Cream Cheese Items Over Fears They May Cause Food Poisoning

Four types of soft cheese products sold in 28 U.S. states are now subject to a voluntary recall initiated by the Aldi grocery chain and Schreiber Foods due to potential salmonella contamination. Salmonella is the most common form of food poisoning in the U.S.

Some of those cream cheese spreads were sold at Aldi, who issued a recall for the following products: Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread, Cream Cheese Spread, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread products.

They were sold at select stores in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The following products are affected:

• Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, with UPC 4099100101881
• Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread, with UPC 4099100101751
• Cream Cheese Spread, with UPC 4099100101737
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread, with UPC 4099100101744

The products were shipped and sold in selected stores in:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

The retailer said it was recalling the products "out of an abundance of caution" and did not specify if any illnesses have been reported in relation to the products. Newsweek has contacted ALDI via email outside of normal working hours for clarification.

Anyone who has purchased the product is urged to either "discard it immediately" or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. If customers have questions or concerns, they are asked to contact Schreiber Foods at 1-800-644-5473 or email consumer.relations@schreiberfoods.com.

In the recall notice, the retailer said it puts the "safety and integrity of the products it sells first" and that it "sincerely regrets the inconvenience and concern caused as a result of this recall."

It follows a similar recall of HyVee cream cheese products in numerous states earlier this month as well as a similar instance of potential salmonella contamination in cheese-based products produced by Schnucks.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than one million people are infected with salmonella each year in the U.S. Symptoms typically include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, headaches, and a fever, all of which can present within six hours to six days following consumption, according to the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Most infections are not severe and recovery is possible without medical intervention within a few days.

However, in some rare instances, salmonella can infect the bloodstream and can cause severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis, all of which may require hospital treatment. Those under 12 months old, over 65 years old, or anyone with a condition that suppresses their immune system is more at risk of developing a serious illness.

In a May 7 release, Schreiber Foods said it was informed by one of its suppliers that an ingredient used in several cream cheese spread formulas has the potential to contain salmonella.

Schreiber Foods said no cases of illness related to this incident have been reported to the company. It advised customers who purchased any of these items should discard the product, or return it to the store for a full refund.

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Photo byNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesonUnsplash