Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Recalls Pepper Jack and Horseradish Cheese Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op recall: quick summary

Cheese lovers, beware! Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op has issued a recall on several of its cheese varieties due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected products include Pepper Jack, Horseradish, Monterey Jack, and White Cheddar cheeses, sold under the Middlefield, Copia Collective, and Farmers Cheese brands. Packages come in a range of sizes (from everyday 8-oz packets to hefty 5 lb. loaves and even massive 40 lb. blocks), so consumers are urged to double-check their fridges before firing up the next grilled cheese sandwich. These products were produced between June and July 2025 and distributed in Ohio from July 14 to August 7, 2025. The silver lining? No illnesses have been reported so far, thanks to the company’s routine testing that caught the issue early and prompted a pause in production.

Stick around to find out more about this recall, because nobody wants cheese that comes with a side of bacteria.

What happened?

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op, based in Middlefield, Ohio, voluntarily recalled nearly 5,500 lbs. of cheese products on August 18, 2025, after discovering Listeria contamination during routine product testing. The recall affects multiple product types across three brands, produced on June 16, June 24, and July 16, 2025, and distributed in the state of Ohio between July 14 and August 7, 2025.

The contamination source? Environmental bacteria that sneaked into food-contact areas of production: Listeria pulled a ninja move.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC/Lot Code	Best By Date / Coded Date	Issue	Affected States
Middlefield Original Cheese	100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack	8 oz., 5 lb., 40 lb.	Lot 251661	N/A	Listeria risk	Ohio
Copia Collective	100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack	8 oz.	Lot 251661	N/A	Listeria risk	Ohio
Middlefield Original Cheese	Horseradish Flavored Cheese	8 oz.	Lot 2524061	N/A	Listeria risk	Ohio
Middlefield Original Cheese / Farmers Cheese	Monterey Jack	8 oz., 5 lb., 40 lb.	Lot 251672 / 7-16-25B	Coded 7-16-25B	Listeria risk	Ohio
Middlefield Original Cheese	White Cheddar	40 lb. loaves	Coded 7-16-25B	N/A	Listeria risk	Ohio

What caused the issue?

The culprit here is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that loves to hang out in cold, damp environments and can sneak its way into food-contact areas.

• Health risks: Serious and potentially fatal infections for young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
• Pregnant women: Especially at risk. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
• Healthy adults: May experience unpleasant but temporary symptoms like fever, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Victims confirmed? Nope. Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported.

Questions you might have

1. How did the company discover the contamination?
   Through product testing. No illnesses triggered the recall.
2. Is it safe to buy other Middlefield cheeses?
   Yes, only the listed lot codes and dates are affected.
3. What happens if stores still have the cheese on shelves?
   They’re required to pull it immediately once the recall is announced.
4. Can Listeria make me sick right away?
   Not always. Symptoms can appear days or even weeks later.
5. Will the cheese look or smell different if it’s contaminated?
   Nope. Listeria is sneaky; you can’t see, smell, or taste it.
6. Can I get sick from touching the cheese but not eating it?
   Unlikely, but always wash your hands after handling recalled food.
7. Are restaurants or delis affected, too?
   Yes, if they purchased and used the recalled bulk 40 lb. loaves.
8. Why is cheese especially risky for Listeria?
   Because Listeria loves moist, cold environments, exactly where cheese hangs out.
9. Who do I call with questions?
   Middlefield GM Nevin Byler: 440-632-5567.
10. Will refunds be given?
    Yes, return it to your store during normal business hours.

Here’s what you should do

• Do not eat the recalled cheese.
• Check lot codes and dates on the package sides or block coding.
• Return to the store for a refund or safely discard it.
• Questions? Call Middlefield GM Nevin Byler at 440-632-5567.

Behind the brand

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op, based in Ohio, is a cooperative known for grass-fed and artisanal cheeses. They sell under multiple brand names, including Middlefield, Copia Collective, and Farmers Cheese, serving retail customers, distributors, and manufacturers.

Other relevant recalls

• Sunshine Dairy recalls raw milk over Listeria contamination
• Fromi USA recalls Brie Royal Faucon 1kg over Listeria contamination risk
• Wegmans recalls Camembert cheese over Listeria risk
• Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions recalls Member’s Mark freeze-dried fruit for Listeria risk
• Reser’s and Molly’s Kitchen salads recalled over Listeria contamination risk
• Albertsons recalls tuna salad products over Listeria contamination risk

“The strongest supply chains are built on prevention, not reaction. Excellence means identifying risks before they ever reach the shelf.” Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86

Ensuring safe eats

Recalls like this remind us that even trusted brands can face contamination issues. For the industry, it’s a wake-up call: keeping production areas clean and monitoring constantly isn’t just good practice; it’s survival. For consumers, it’s a reminder to check lot codes and heed recalls instead of taking a risky bite.

If you’re a manufacturer, Source86 can help with bulk ingredients, private label services, food safety expertise, and supply chain excellence so your products don’t end up on the wrong kind of headline. Let’s keep your brand out of the recall spotlight: contact us today.

Stay safe, skip the risky cheese, and remember: better to cry over spilled milk than recalled cheddar.