Cheese Maker Recalls 28,000 Suspect Pounds

AUBURN, Wash. — More than 28,000 pounds of cheese were recalled Saturday from stores in nine states because of possible contamination.

The wedges of Peterson-brand Jarlsberg may have been tainted with Listeria monocytogenes, the Auburn-based company said. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in small children, the elderly or others with weakened immune systems, the company said.

The 1- to 2-pound packages were distributed in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Guam through Price Costco and Cost-U-Less Warehouse Club Stores. The company advised customers to return wedges with sell dates between Oct. 7, 1996, and Nov. 30, 1996, for a full refund.