Whole Foods Market is recalling two types of cheese sold in seven US states after discovering that the products contain an undeclared egg protein that could trigger potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
The recall covers Cabricharme cheeses that are sold at specialty cheese counters in 18 Whole Foods locations in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, according to a Sept. 11 notice that was published by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The affected products contain egg lysozyme, a protein derived from egg whites, but egg was not declared on their labels. People with an egg allergy or severe sensitivity could experience a serious allergic reaction if they eat the cheese.
No illnesses have been reported so far, and Whole Foods said all affected products have been removed from store shelves. However, some of the cheeses have best-by dates extending through Oct. 7, which means that recalled products could still be in customers’ refrigerators.
Which Whole Foods cheeses were recalled?
The recall covers Fromagerie Coop de Mean Cabricharme Raw Milk – Aged 60 Days with PLU 57953 and Belgian Cabricharme with PLU 54670. Both were cut and wrapped in plastic at Whole Foods stores and sold with the retailer’s scale labels.
Whole Foods said the labeling problem was discovered by a store team member. Customers who bought the recalled cheese are being urged to destroy it rather than consume it. Those with a valid receipt can get a full refund from the store where it was purchased.
The recall also has a connection to Amazon investors because Whole Foods Market is owned by Amazon. Amazon agreed to acquire the grocery chain in 2017 in a deal that was originally valued at roughly $13.7 billion.
Amazon stock price (Source: CoinCodex)
Amazon shares closed at $253.54 on Monday, Sept. 14, down 1.26% for the session. There is currently no indication that the Whole Foods recall was responsible for that decline. Given Amazon’s enormous and diversified business, the relatively limited 18-store recall would be unlikely on its own to have a material financial impact on the company.
Investors will nevertheless be watching for any expansion of the recall or additional reports of affected products.
