PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Food recall · Reported December 12, 2012

Tomales Bay Foods brand Artisan Cheese in PARTIAL WHEELS of Cheese, from cheese makers in US (VA, VT, Ca, WI, OR, WA and UT) and Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Holland and Greece. Varieties include Appalachian, Coolea, Cabot clothbound Cheddar, Big Rock Blue, Goat Gouda, Holey Cow, Big Woods Blue, Fiore Sardo,, Valdeon, Pecorino Romano, Sottocenere, Capriago, Capricious, Cave Aged Gruyere, Cave Aged Marisa, Fenacho, Pondhopper, Comte, L'Amuse Signature Gouda, Dante Waxed Rind, Dry Jack

Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples.

Recall #
F-1985-2012
Affected scope
562.74 pounds original recall, 101.1 pounds of Pondhopper and 31.41 pounds of Big Woods Blue
Initiated
July 28, 2012
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Tomales Bay Foods, Inc. recalled Tomales Bay Foods brand Artisan Cheese in PARTIAL WHEELS of Cheese, from cheese makers … - a moderate-severity action.

Tomales Bay Foods brand Artisan Cheese in PARTIAL WHEELS of Cheese, from cheese makers … was recalled by Tomales Bay Foods, Inc. in December 12, 2012. Reason: Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples.. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #F-1985-2012 with the FDA Food before acting.

The recall

Tomales Bay Foods, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Food recall-Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples..

Moderate
severity level
Class II
classification
December 12, 2012
reported

Sourced from official FDA Food enforcement records. Verify recall #F-1985-2012 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Food - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Food recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 25,457 food recalls on record

01,0002,0003,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 813
Severity1906864652High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this agency-classified recall sits among FDA Class I/II/III notices

Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Product description

Tomales Bay Foods brand Artisan Cheese in PARTIAL WHEELS of Cheese, from cheese makers in US (VA, VT, Ca, WI, OR, WA and UT) and Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Holland and Greece. Varieties include Appalachian, Coolea, Cabot clothbound Cheddar, Big Rock Blue, Goat Gouda, Holey Cow, Big Woods Blue, Fiore Sardo,, Valdeon, Pecorino Romano, Sottocenere, Capriago, Capricious, Cave Aged Gruyere, Cave Aged Marisa, Fenacho, Pondhopper, Comte, L'Amuse Signature Gouda, Dante Waxed Rind, Dry Jack Special Reserve, Mezzo Secco, Extra Mature Bandage Cheddar, San Joaquin Gold, Flagship Reserve Truckle, Fontina Vallet Pietro, Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano Organic, Taleggio Organic, Comte Reserve Ete, Loma Alta, Mt. Viko Barrel Aged Feta, Pepato, San Andreas Bellwether Farms, Reading, Tarentaise, Seahive, St. George, Toma and Wagon Wheel. Cheese is cut per order and wrapped in cheese paper and marked with a magic marker indicating the type of cheese, poundage and pack date as well as a Tomales Bay Foods label. There are no code numbers or expiration dates marked on the product.

Reason for recall

Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Food recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Terminated
Recall number F-1985-2012
Date reported December 12, 2012
Date initiated July 28, 2012
Recalling firm Tomales Bay Foods, Inc.
Firm location Petaluma, CA
Affected scope 562.74 pounds original recall, 101.1 pounds of Pondhopper and 31.41 pounds of Big Woods Blue
Distribution Part One: CA, VA, VT, WI, OR, UT and Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Holland, Greece. Part Two: Dates of Distribution: 6/2512 - 7/27/12 Pattern: CA, NC, FL

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Food enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (F-1985-2012) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Food before acting, recall details can be updated.
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Food record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Tomales Bay Foods brand Artisan Cheese in PARTIAL WHEELS of Cheese, from cheese makers in US (VA, VT, Ca, WI, OR, WA and UT) and Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Holland and Greece. Varieties include Appalachian, Coolea, Cabot clothbound Cheddar, Big Rock Blue, Goat Gouda, Holey Cow, Big Woods Blue, Fiore Sardo,, Valdeon, Pecorino Romano, Sottocenere, Capriago, Capricious, Cave Aged Gruyere, Cave Aged Marisa, Fenacho, Pondhopper, Comte, L'Amuse Signature Gouda, Dante Waxed Rind, Dry Jack Special Reserve, Mezzo Secco, Extra Mature Bandage Cheddar, San Joaquin Gold, Flagship Reserve Truckle, Fontina Vallet Pietro, Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano Organic, Taleggio Organic, Comte Reserve Ete, Loma Alta, Mt. Viko Barrel Aged Feta, Pepato, San Andreas Bellwether Farms, Reading, Tarentaise, Seahive, St. George, Toma and Wagon Wheel. Cheese is cut per order and wrapped in cheese paper and marked with a magic marker indicating the type of cheese, poundage and pack date as well as a Tomales Bay Foods label. There are no code numbers or expiration dates marked on the product.. Recalled by Tomales Bay Foods, Inc.. Units affected: 562.74 pounds original recall, 101.1 pounds of Pondhopper and 31.41 pounds of Big Woods Blue.
Why was this product recalled?
Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Food on December 12, 2012. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: F-1985-2012.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Part One: CA, VA, VT, WI, OR, UT and Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Holland, Greece. Part Two: Dates of Distribution: 6/2512 - 7/27/12 Pattern: CA, NC, FL.
What are the health risks of consuming a recalled food product?
Recalled food products may contain contaminants, undeclared allergens, or harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli. Consuming these products can cause foodborne illness ranging from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to serious conditions requiring hospitalization. If you have consumed a recalled food product and experience symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and report to the FDA via MedWatch.

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This recall: FDA Food, reported December 12, 2012. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026