Jule's Foods recalls cashew brie, other vegan and plant-based products over possible salmonella contamination

Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Jule's Foods is voluntarily recalling all of its products because they could be contaminated with salmonella and linked to a multistate outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said Friday they are investigating "Salmonella Duisburg infections linked to the consumption of Jule’s Cashew Brie, a vegan, or plant-based cheese alternative."

According to the CDC's food safety alert, there have been five people infected with the outbreak strain reported from three states. California and Tennessee have had two cases, and Florida has had one. Two people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

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Jule's Foods, of Carlsbad, California, said in the recall notice posted on the FDA website that all expiration dates are included. The company is working with health officials and has suspended the production of the products "while the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem."

The FDA advises that consumers, restaurants and retailers "should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Jule’s Foods products. Consumers should throw away recalled Jule’s Foods products or return to the place of purchase for a refund."

Jule’s Foods is voluntarily recalling all of its products because they could be contaminated with salmonella.
Jule’s Foods is voluntarily recalling all of its products because they could be contaminated with salmonella.

Products were distributed "direct to consumer" and at “primarily independently owned grocery stores” in 17 states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas.

“We are a small company so we’re talking about 600 wheels of our cheese,” Julie Van Dam, one of the company’s founders, said in an email to USA TODAY. “We are devastated to learn that our products have made people sick and are working to get products out of (people's) homes.”

Van Dam said a list of stores that sold the products is listed on the company's website at julesfoods.net.

“We are heart broken to report that Jule’s Foods products has had a Salmonella contamination,” the company wrote in a Facebook post. “We ask that you either dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.”

Consumers with questions can contact the company at jules@julesveganfoods.com or call 310-980-4697 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT.

Jule's Foods recall 2021

The following products are being recalled and all expiration dates are included:

  • Jule’s Cashew Brie (Classic): UPC 860388001507

  • Jule’s Truffle Cashew Brie: UPC 860388001514

  • Jule’s Black Garlic Cashew Brie: UPC 860388001552

  • Jule’s Artichoke Spinach Dip: UPC 860388001569

  • Jule’s Vegan Ranch Dressing: UPC 860388001521

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Salmonella outbreak: Jule's Foods cashew brie linked to infections