Tenn. company recalls cheese

PHILADELPHIA, Tenn. (AP) ‘ A Tennessee company is recalling cheese sold in seven states and distributed natiowide in gift baskets that could be contaminated with dangerous bacteria. No illnesses have been reported.

Sweetwater Valley Farms Inc. said its Southern Cheddar Jack Volunteer Special Cheese was distributed in 7-, 10-, 15-ounce and 5-pound blocks sold in retail stores in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and Alabama.

The cheese from lot number 539 was distributed between Sept. 19 and Nov. 18. It was also potentially distributed across the continental U.S. in gift baskets sold on the company’s Web site.

Another Tennessee-based wholesaler, Le Gourmet Connection, said it sold 10-ounce blocks of the cheese through Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio, between Aug. 28 and Nov. 19.

Customers can discard the product or return it for a refund.