Soft cheeses RECALLED from product shelves over potential contamination by foodborne pathogens
By oliviacook // 2025-08-23
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  • Wegmans and Quesito El Establo recalled soft cheeses across multiple states after potential contamination with Listeria (which can cause miscarriages and death) and rodent-related Salmonella (leading to severe gastrointestinal illness).
  • Affected products were sold in 11 states + D.C. (July-August 2025) and included items like Camembert, Brie and assorted cheese flights. No illnesses reported yet, but consumers are urged to return products for refunds.
  • Beyond pathogens, physical hazards (glass, metal, pests) pose risks during production. FDA classifies objects 7-25mm as dangerous, but many incidents go unreported, masking the true scale of contamination.
  • Inspections found rodent infestations and poor facility conditions, yet recalls often only happen after contamination is confirmed. Weak oversight and inconsistent tech (e.g., X-rays, metal detectors) increase risks.
  • Key steps to reduce risk: check recall alerts, inspect food, wash produce, handle high-risk items carefully and report contamination to authorities. Food safety is a shared responsibility.
Soft cheeses have been recalled from the market over potential contamination by foodborne pathogens, highlighting the importance of food safety. Grocery chain Wegmans Food Markets pulled several of its popular soft cheeses off shelves at all its stores in nine states and the District of Columbia. The cheeses were recalled following information that the products might contain Listeria, a pathogen that can survive even refrigeration and cause miscarriages, seizures or even death. The affected products were sold in Wegmans locations in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were supplied by Georgia-based Estancia Holdings and were sold between July 1 and Aug. 12. The following products were recalled, per advice by Estancia's supplier in France:
  • Wegmans Medium Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese 8.8 oz
  • Wegmans Assorted Cheese Flight 1 lb
  • Wegmans Grilling Camembert with Tapenade & Roasted Tomatoes 10 oz
  • Wegmans Caramel Apple Pecan Topped Brie Cheese 13 oz.
Over at New England, Quesito El Establo recalled its Spanish Cheese (Queso Colombiano) following an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Agency inspectors found rodents and rodent droppings inside the production facility where it was made. The discovery raises the risk of contamination with Salmonella, which infects more than a million Americans annually. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps or can lead to more serious complications (including a bloodstream infection) that require hospitalization. (Related: Cheese and other dairy products sold by Rizo-Lopez Foods recalled following a LISTERIA OUTBREAK.) So far, no illnesses have been reported. The FDA advises consumers who have eaten any of the affected products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund

What does "physical contamination" mean?

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, physical contamination is when "harmful foreign objects, such as glass, metal shavings or plastic fragments, accidentally enter food during production or preparation. These contaminants can cause injury, illness or even death if ingested." Experts divide these hazards into two main types:
  • Unintentional hazards: Accidents that happen during processing or handling – like a bolt falling from a machine, a shard of glass from a broken light fixture or even human hair or fingernails.
  • Naturally present hazards: These are hard or inedible parts of the food itself, such as bones in fish, bone fragments or particles in meat, feathers from poultry, nutshells in peanut butter, pieces of shell from seafood, or seeds in fruit.
Both categories matter because they can harm consumers directly or act as carriers for bacteria and chemicals that cause illness. The unsettling truth is that contamination can slip into food at nearly any stage:
  • The building – broken glass, crumbling plaster, paint chips or pieces of tiles can fall into the food
  • Equipment – loose screws, nuts and bolts or metal shards from worn machinery
  • Packaging – bits of plastic wrap, cardboard, elastic bands, staple wires, string
  • Food handlers – buttons, hair, jewelry, nail polish flakes or even pen caps
  • Pests – caterpillars, insects, rodents (mice, rats, etc.), slugs and their droppings or fur
  • Suppliers – raw materials that arrive contaminated, like grit on fruits and vegetables or feathers in poultry
The FDA considers hard or sharp objects between seven and 25 millimeters long in ready-to-eat foods as potentially harmful enough to trigger legal action.

The hidden iceberg of contamination

Here is something most recall-weary consumers don't realize: The cases that make it to the news are only the tip of the iceberg. Across the pond, European watchdogs estimate that most physical contamination incidents never make it into public databases. If inspectors find rodent droppings in a warehouse or loose bolts on a production line, it often leads to warning letters, fines or temporary closures – not actual recalls. Unless contaminated food is confirmed, consumers may never hear about it. That means official recall lists tell only part of the story. Behind the headlines, countless other contamination cases are quietly handled and forgotten. Most Americans can't inspect food with metal detectors or X-rays, or test it for microscopic hazards. While technology to scan for contaminants is improving, not every company invests in these tools and oversight still varies. Even the best factories can slip up. But that doesn't mean consumers are at the mercy of food manufacturers. Here are some small ways to ensure food safety:
  • Stay alert to recalls: Sign up for FDA or USDA recall and safety alerts or follow trusted news outlets.
  • Inspect food items: A quick glance before eating can stop a foreign object from becoming an emergency room visit.
  • Wash produce thoroughly: Dirt, grit, sand and small stones are common in fresh veggies.
  • Handle high-risk foods carefully: Deli meats, soft cheeses, sushi and pre-cut fruits and veggies are more prone to contamination.
  • Don't shrug off "minor" contaminants: They may be small, but they carry harmful bacteria and have huge repercussions for health.
  • Speak up: Report contaminated food to local health authorities.
The news of soft cheeses being recalled highlights the vulnerabilities in the food supply. They also serve as a reminder that food safety is a shared responsibility, not just the government's job. Watch this video to learn more about physical hazards in food. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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How four types of contamination keep sneaking into food. Canned beef stew RECALLED nationwide over wood fragments. Breakfast cereal RECALLED over metal fragments found in the products. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.ai Bromley.gov.uk FoodTimes.eu Brighton.com
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