News Release
August 26, 2010
Missouri Agriculture, Health Officials Investigate Reports of Bacteria Found in Missouri Cheese Sold in California
Cheese taken from California retailer reportedly contained traces of bacteria; state agriculture inspectors temporarily halt production and distribution from dairy in Mountain View
Missouri agriculture inspectors, in coordination with state health officials, temporarily halted production and distribution from Morningland Dairy in Mountain View, after the California Department of Food and Agriculture notified Missouri that cheese produced at the dairy was reported to contain traces of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The cheese samples were seized June 30 in California; Missouri officials were made aware of the California department's test results today.
Inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture are coordinating with officials from the state Department of Health and Senior Services and the Food and Drug Administration to gather information concerning the distribution of the cheese from the dairy.
The dairy sells several types of raw cows' milk and raw goats' milk cheeses across the United States. Company officials are cooperating with authorities.