B.C. cheese maker increases testing after recall


One of three varieties of Camembert cheese made by Moonstruck Organic Cheese subject to a recall after a positive listeria test. 

March 9, 2010. (CTV)

A small, organic cheese maker on B.C.'s Saltspring Island is continuing production after a big product recall this week, but with stricter safety measures in place. 

Three varieties of Camembert manufactured by Moonstruck Organic Cheese were recalled Monday, after the B.C. Centre for Disease Control discovered the listeria bacteria in one wheel of cheese. 

Related: full list of affected products

Moonstruck cheesemaker Julia Grace told CTV News that the company has vowed to bump up its safety procedures, and all cheese is now being independently tested before sale. 

"It's going to be a shake up but it's going to make us a stronger company. Once you've had an experience like this, you tighten up your measures more ferociously just to make sure this never happens again," she said. 

Grace said she couldn't imagine what caused the contamination. 

"We have really strong systems in place, but clearly there's a place inside my plant where something broke down in the production of our Camembert and we got this problem." 

Food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a rare disease that is sometimes fatal. Listeriosis is characterized by symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. 

In elderly people and those with compromised immune systems, listeria can cause fatal blood infection or meningitis. 

Alice Spurrell, owner of Vancouver cheese shop Les Amis Du Fromage, said she had about two dozen Moonstruck-made Camemberts available for sale before the recall, but has since removed them from the shelves. 

The cheeses were a big seller, Spurrell said. "It's local, very popular. Organic. Delicious." 

She said she doesn't expect too much of a customer backlash against the company. 

"Once they know the company's taking care of the problem, I don't think they hold that against them." 

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty