Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials have been working jointly on an investigation of Morningland Dairy in Mountain View, Missouri after the California Department of Food and Agriculture notified Missouri late Thursday that cheese produced at the dairy contained traces of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. At this point, the company has not issued a voluntary recall, but it is DHSS’ understanding that the firm will issue a press release soon stating that they are initiating a voluntary recall of all products produced by the company since January 2010 due to the potential presence of the above-named pathogens in products. No illnesses related to this pending recall have been reported to date.



Products included in the recall are all raw milk cheese labeled as Morningland Dairy and Ozark Hills Farm including products in various sizes of vac-sealed plastic in retail packages dating from Jan. 1, 2010 (code A10) through June 25, 2010 (code F250). Products were distributed nationwide, including 23 retail outlets in Missouri.



Local public health agencies with retail outlets that had received product have been notified by DHSS staff and requested to conduct effectiveness checks to assure product is removed from sale after the recall has been issued. For all other agencies, this update is for informational purposes.



Morningland Dairy has suspended the production and distribution of all products, as MDA, FDA and Morningland Dairy continue their investigation of what caused the problem.

Consumers with questions can contact MDA for further information or visit the firm’s website at www.morninglanddairy.com for updates.