Cheese Recall as Warning Issued to Customers

A stock image of cream cheese in a bowl. The Hy-Vee products are being recalled over fears they may contain salmonella.

Two cheese products are being recalled over fears they may cause food poisoning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) said.

Hy-Vee is recalling two varieties of its cream cheese spread and bulk packages of its cookies and cream mix “out of an abundance of caution” due to potential salmonella contamination.

The affected products were distributed to Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstore, Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh convenience stores and Dollar Fresh Market locations in eight states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Hy-Vee has said the products are made at different suppliers around the Midwest and are all sold under the Hy-Vee brand name.

The products subject to the recall are:

• Hy-Vee Whipped Cream Cheese Spread – 8 oz. – Best/use by date: August 7, 2024 and August 14, 2024. No lot code.
• Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread – 12 oz. Best/use by date: October 1, 2024. No lot code.
• Hy-Vee To Go Cookies & Cream Mix – 4 oz. Best/use by date: December 5, 2024. Lot code: 24073.
• Hy-Vee To Go Cookies & Cream Mix – 4 oz. Best/use by date: December 1, 2024. Lot code: 24101.
• Hy-Vee To Go Cookies & Cream Mix – 4 oz. Best/use by date: December 5, 2024. Lot code: 24117.
• Hy-Vee Cookies & Cream Mix – 16 oz. Best/use by date: December 5, 2024. Lot code: 24073.
• Hy-Vee Cookies & Cream Mix – 16 oz. – Best/use by date: December 1, 2024. Lot code: 24101.
• Hy-Vee Cookies & Cream Mix – 16 oz. – Best/use by date: December 5, 2024. Lot code: 24117.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illnesses due to consumption of any of these products so far, the release issued on May 6 said. Any consumers with questions can call Hy-Vee’s Customer Care team at (800) 772-4098. Newsweek contacted Hy-Vee for comment via email outside of normal working hours.

Salmonella is the most common form of food poisoning in the U.S., with more than one million people becoming infected each year throughout the country, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Symptoms typically include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever emerging within six hours to six days following consumption, according to the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Most people recover without medical intervention within a few days.

In rare circumstances, salmonella can infect the bloodstream, producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. Those aged under 12 months, over 65 years old or anyone with a compromised immune system are most at risk from severe infections, and may require hospital treatment.

The recall follows a similar instance of potential salmonella contamination in cream cheese products produced by Schnucks. The brand recently announced it is recalling Schnucks Whip Cream Spread, Schnucks Strawberry Spread and Schnucks Cream Cheese Spread, according to an announcement made by FSIS.

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