Ohio Amish Co-Op Cheese Recall: Over 5,000 Lbs. May Be Contaminated With Listeria

An Amish cheese co-op in Geauga County, Ohio has recalled over 5,000 pounds of cheese, over concerns it may have been contaminated with listeria. Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op announced the recall yesterday, following the discovery of contamination while running its own tests.

As noted on this business page for the co-op, it is made up of 90 farmers, 98% of whom are Amish. Middlefield is the most prominent town in the heart of the Geauga County settlement, the fourth-largest Amish community in the nation.

From the FDA announcement:

Middlefield, OH 8/15/25 – The Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op facility in Middlefield, OH is recalling 246.5 Lbs. of 100% Grass-fed Pepper Jack Cheese, sold in 8 oz. packages, 5 lb. loaves and 40 lb. loaves, 2.5 Lbs. of Horseradish Flavored Cheese, sold in 8 oz. packages, 640 Lbs. of Monterey Jack Cheese sold in 8 oz. packages, 5 lb. loaves and 40 lb. loaves, and 4,544.5 Lbs. of White Cheddar Cheese sold in 40 Lb. loaves because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled products were produced on June 16, 2025, June 24, 2025, and July 16th, and distributed in the state of Ohio between July 14, 2025 and August 7, 2025. Products were shipped to manufacturers and distributors, and sold in retail stores.

The recall affects the following products:

• Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese – eight-ounce packages, five-pound loaves, and 40-pound loaves – lot code: 251661
• Copia Collective 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese – eight-ounce packages – lot code: 251661
• Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op Horseradish Flavored Cheese – eight-ounce packages – lot code: 2524061
• Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op Monterey Jack Cheese – eight-ounce packages and five-pound blocks with lot code: 251672 – 40-pound blocks with dates coded as 7-16-25B
• Farmers Cheese – eight-ounce packages and five-pound blocks with lot code: 251672 – 40-pound blocks with dates coded as 7-16-25B

The products were produced on June 16, 2025, June 24, 2025, and July 16, 2025. They were shipped to manufacturers, distributors and retail stores in Ohio between July 14, 2025, and August 7, 2025, according to the FDA.

Impact & Implications

One thing stands out when I look closer at the details of the recalled cheeses. Looking at the packaging sizes, it appears that the vast bulk of the cheese sold – at least going by weight – was of the White Cheddar Cheese variety – and sold in 40-pound loaves.

A size that large is probably not being bought by your average household, but rather by another commercial operation – a deli stand or a restaurant, for example.

In fact, the white cheddar is not even listed under the branded package list in the FDA announcement, so (I assume) it was a wholesale product sold primarily if not exclusively to other businesses. Another source reports that the cheese was “shipped to manufacturers and distributors, and sold in retail stores in Ohio.”

Perhaps that will make the recall easier in that they may have a better sense of who purchases those larger sizes. Indeed, two of the other four varieties are also sold in 40 pound loaves, along with smaller sizes.

No reported illnesses

Another thing to point – at least as of the time of this story emerging, there have been no reported illnesses resulting from consumption of the cheese. It goes without saying, but good for Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op to act quickly on the results of their testing, as it seems like they have.

Co-ops are popular outlets for Amish farmers to market their farm products in some communities. Besides dairy and cheese co-ops, produce co-ops are found in some communities as well.

There will obviously be a negative business effect for Middlefield from this recall, which they will hopefully be able to overcome – though that is secondary of course to getting out in front of the potential health hazards.

Customers who purchased the listed products are advised to dispose of them, or return them to the retail point of purchase for a refund. Customers or media with questions can direct them to Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op General Manager Nevin Byler (440-632-5567 Mon – Fri, 8 AM to 4 PM EST).

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