Class I U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Goot Essa Der Mutterschaf Cheese recall: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

Goot Essa Dairy — recalled dairyGoot Essa Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

What the notice says: Goot Essa LLC of Howard, PA is recalling one lot totaling 64 pounds, batch 33, of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-0647-2025, H-0036-2026
Published
September 19, 2025
Risk level
Class I
Status
Ongoing
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Goot Essa
Product type
Dairy
Units affected
62 lbs; 1,260 cases (10/2lbs. packs per case) and 540 cases (20/1lbs. packs per case)
Distribution
Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Virginia
Lot / code info
Batch #33, manufactured at plant #26476, exp. 12/24/2025 — Master Case: 10/2 lbs. bags. Lot Code: S0502 080 C10524 IQF Inner Bag 2lbs. Lot Code: Best by May 07 2028 C10524 SO502 080 IQF Inner Bag 2lbs. Lot Code: Best by May 08 2028 C10524 SO502 080 Master Case: 20/1 lbs. bags. Lot Code: S0502 080 C10524 IQF Inner Bag 1lbs. Lot Code: Best by May 08 2028 C10524 SO502 080
UPC codes
810154560189, 810154560196, 10659878008617, 659878008610, 10659878010016, 659878010019
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Der Mutterschaf Cheese

What the company announced

Goot Essa LLC of Howard, PA is recalling one lot totaling 64 pounds, batch 33, of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese was distributed to 7 customers in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, and Montana and it was distributed through retail stores and restaurants.

The product comes in 4 oz and 8 oz clear plastic packages, 4 oz with UPC 810154560189 and 8 oz UPC 810154560196, marked with lot number 33 on a sticker on the back.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one sample from the batch. Sampling of similar batches revealed no contamination. Goot Essa will work closely with the FDA to conclude the investigation.

Customers who have purchased Der Mutterschaf Cheese batch 33 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-490-4387 Monday-Saturday from 8-4 EST.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 19 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 810154560189
  • 810154560196
  • 10659878008617
  • 659878008610
  • 10659878010016
  • 659878010019

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 33
  • 24
  • 2025

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 12
  • 24
  • 2025

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 64 pounds
  • 4 oz
  • 8 oz
  • 62 lbs
  • 2 lbs
  • 20 lbs
  • 1 lbs

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

Goot Essa — This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. Photograph the label, the lot code and the date mark before the pack leaves the house — that picture is what a refund claim runs on.
  3. Throw it out in a sealed bag, or return it to the store. Either is accepted; what matters is that nobody else eats it.
  4. Wash and then sanitise anything the food touched: the fridge shelf and drawer, chopping boards, knives, counters and your hands. Listeria colonises cold surfaces and can survive there after the food is gone.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Customers who have purchased Der Mutterschaf Cheese batch 33 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Goot Essa LLC — Consumers: 1-800-490-4387 — Media: John Esh, 814-383-0180

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Goot Essa dairy recalled?

Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes Goot Essa LLC of Howard, PA is recalling one lot totaling 64 pounds, batch 33, of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 810154560189, 810154560196, 10659878008617; lot code 33, 24, 2025; best-by date 12 or 24. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Customers who have purchased Der Mutterschaf Cheese batch 33 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Virginia.

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