Kraft Recalls More Than One Million Cases Of Cottage Cheese

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

A Kraft Tulare, CA plant is voluntarily recalling 1.2 million cases of cottage cheese, produced under four different labels, due to improper storage of some of its ingredients

Kraft cottage cheese, sold under the Breakstone, Daily Chef, Knudsen, and Simply Kraft labels may cause illness if consumed. A press release from Kraft Foods says that some of the ingredients used in these products were not stored “in accordance with Kraft’s temperature standards.” Kraft further stated, “While unlikely, this could create conditions that could lead to premature spoilage and/or food-borne illness.”

Production at the affected facility has been halted until the storage issue is corrected. Cottage cheese is the only product involved; all of the cases being recalled were distributed within the U.S. only.  The date codes, May 9 through July 23, 2014, can be found on the bottom or on the cap of each individual recalled package. The Simply Kraft Cottage Cheese products can be further identified with the plant code 06-245.  A complete list of the products being recalled can be found here and includes Breakstone’s and Knudsen Cottage Doubles. Kraft stresses that Simply Kraft cottage cheese with a plant code of 36-2158 or with a “W” in the date code (e.g., “W 21 JUL 2013”) are not being recalled. The Inquisitr reports that Kraft is also investigating an illness that allegedly occurred involving cottage cheese not covered under the current recall. That product is now expired.

Is your company prepared to handle a recall?

In a previous recall issued on Oct 25, 2013, some varieties of Kraft and Polly-O String Cheese and String Cheese Twist products were recalled due to premature spoilage. The recall was prompted when Kraft received numerous consumer reports of discoloration and premature spoilage in the affected products. This recall involved a Kraft facility in Campbell, NY, but is eerily similar.

Customers who have cottage cheese products on this list are urged to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Consumers are eligible to either exchange the product or to receive a full refund. Consumers with concerns can contact Kraft Consumer Relations at (800) 396-6307 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., EDT.