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
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
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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 FDA Food action (record #F-1985-2012) was formally reported on December 12, 2012, with the manufacturer initiating the action on July 28, 2012. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Tomales Bay Foods, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Petaluma, CA. Federal records list the affected scope as 562.74 pounds original recall, 101.1 pounds of Pondhopper and 31.41 pounds of Big Woods Blue.

The documented reason for this recall is: Firm received a positive environmental for Listeria Monocytogenes from their internal testing samples. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: 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. Distribution scope 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, 2 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 - 25,126 food recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 481
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

562.74 pounds original recall, 101.1 pounds of Pondhopper and 31.41 pounds of Big Woods Blue

Related Recalls

6

2 from same agency

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.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (F-1985-2012) against your product. Visit the official FDA Food website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
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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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Food, reported December 12, 2012. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.