Frescolina and Mitica brand Ricotta Salata cheeses were cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427 and PLU 294413, respectively. All "sell by" dates through Oct. 2 are affected.

Recall Insight

This FDA Food action (record #F-0110-2013) was formally reported on October 24, 2012, with the manufacturer initiating the action on September 11, 2012. It is classified under Critical severity (Class I), with a current status of Terminated. Whole Foods Market is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Austin, TX. Federal records indicate Approximately 2500 lbs units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: Whole Foods Market announces that it is recalling ricotta salata sold in 21 states and Washington, D.C. that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY. Forever Cheese recalled this cheese produ… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Nationwide to 21 states. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Food. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 14 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.