Organic cheeses recalled across Canada over listeria

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says 12 organic cheese products sold under the Farm Boy, L’Ancêtre and Life Smart brands are being recalled across Canada because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Updated Oct. 15, 2026. The CFIA investigation is ongoing.

The recall was posted Oct. 14 on the federal recalls website by Fromagerie L’Ancêtre Inc. It is a Class 1 recall with national distribution. The agency said its own test results triggered the recall.

No illnesses linked to the products have been reported, according to the notice.

The CFIA said its food safety investigation may lead to the recall of other products. It added that it is verifying that industry is removing the recalled cheeses from the market.

Five Farm Boy products are affected. They are the organic Swiss (190 grams, code 243E), organic medium cheddar (200 g, code 811D), organic old cheddar (200 g, code 562D), organic extra-sharp cheddar (200 g, code G6D) and organic three-year cheddar (195 g, code 392Z). All carry a best-before date of July 30, 2027.

The Life Smart product is a 200-gram package of organic part-skim mozzarella with code 401E and a best-before date of March 30, 2027.

Six L’Ancêtre products are also included. The 200-gram organic Swiss has code 243E and a best-before date of July 30, 2027. The 2-kilogram organic shredded old cheddar has code S146E and a best-before date of Dec. 4, 2026. The 200-gram organic mozza-cheddar shredded blend has code S150E and best-before dates of Dec. 11, 2026, and Jan. 17, 2027. The one-kilogram organic shredded part-skim mozzarella has code S161E and a best-before date of Dec. 25, 2026. The one-kilogram organic shredded Swiss has code S164E and the same Dec. 25, 2026, date. The 2-kilogram organic shredded medium cheddar has code S177E and a best-before date of Jan. 24, 2027.

The notice lists a UPC for each product. The CFIA said consumers should check the full list on its website to match the code and best-before date on their package.

The agency said people should not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute the recalled products. They should throw them out or return them to the store where they were bought.

The notice also warns that food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. It said the infection can be serious for pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone who believes they became sick after eating a recalled product should contact a health care provider, the notice said.

Product images on the notice also show a Metro-brand 200-gram mozzarella, but that item does not appear in the notice’s brand list or product table. Shoppers who have that product can check the official notice for any update.

CP24 reported the recall on Wednesday and said the investigation could lead to more recalls.

The CFIA did not say in the notice where the cheeses were sold beyond describing the distribution as national. Shoppers are advised to check any organic cheese from the three brands in their fridge or freezer, including shredded packages bought in bulk sizes.

Canada News Media will update this story if the CFIA expands the recall.

Via CP24. Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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