The following health alert was received from the Yahoo News and Kraft on November 23, 2001.
Pollio Italian Cheese Company, MINEOLA, NY is recalling 15 oz. and 3 lb. Polly-O Ricotta Cheese and certain foodservice ricotta products with the code date DEC-10 PD1 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The following varieties of 15 oz. and 3 lb. Polly-O Ricotta Cheese with the code date DEC-10 PD1 were distributed through retail grocery
stores and foodservice distributors primarily in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA:
- 15 oz. Polly-O Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Polly-O Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 15 oz. Polly-O Reduced Fat Ricotta Cheese
- 15 oz. Polly-O Fat Free Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Polly-O Original Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Polly-O Old Fashioned Ricotta Cheese
The following varieties of 3 lb. foodservice products with the code date DEC-10 PD1 were distributed nationally to foodservice distributors
primarily in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA:
- 3 lb. Alberto Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Margarita Original Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Sassone Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Sansone Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Caruso Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. Pastosa Old Fashioned Ricotta Cheese
- 3 lb. DiCarlo Original Ricotta Cheese
The Polly-O Ricotta Cheese products are sold in 15 oz. and 3 lb. plastic containers with the code date DEC-10 PD1 located on the bottom
of the container and are sold in retail grocery stores and to foodservice distributors. The 3 lb. foodservice products are sold in plastic
containers with the code date DEC-10 PD1 in the bottom of the container and are sold to foodservice distributors under the following
brands -- Alberto, Margarita, Sassone, Sansone, Caruso, Pastosa and DiCarlo.
The Department of Defense contacted the company and the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets after a sample of 15 oz.
Polly-O Ricotta Cheese with the code date DEC-10 PD1 tested positive for Salmonella. As a precaution, the company is recalling all
products made on the same day on the same production line and is working with the FDA and the State of New York to investigate the
situation. Consumers who have purchased 15 oz. and 3 lb. Polly-O Ricotta Cheese with the code date DEC 10 PD-1 should not eat the product and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions should call 800-871-7117 between the hours of 9:00 a.m.
ET to 10 p.m. ET or visit
www.polly-o.com/specialreport.