PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A local artisan food shop is voluntarily recalling some of its products after an inspection by the Rhode Island Department of Health, but the company said it hasn't changed its production methods since it passed inspection in 2010.
The health department on Friday advised consumers not to eat certain cheeses, meats and jarred vegetables produced by Farmstead Inc. and sold at a shop at 186 Wayland Ave. and through www.farmsteadinc.com..
Health inspectors initiated an investigation after receiving a tip, the Health Department said, and no one has reported an illness associated with Farmstead foods.
The recalled products, which include carrots, beets, eggplant, zucchini, pickles and tomato jam in 8- or 16-ounce jars and chicken liver mousse and pork rillettes in 4-ounce jars, all with a screw-on metal lid and without a production or date code, were produced without the required controls to prevent a toxin that causes botulism and the growth of listeria.
Also recalled are certain soft and semi-soft cheeses, raw milk cheeses, goat cheeses, and any cheeses that are labeled "Keep Refrigerated" that were sold at room temperature in the retail store.
D'Artagnan salami (labeled "Keep Refrigerated") and Proscuitto, salamis, Liverwurst, pâtés, and other meats processed at the store are also being recalled because they were improperly processed, the health department said.
Consumers who have any of these recalled products at home should discard them or return them to the store, the health department said.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and experiences abdominal cramps; difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing; double vision; muscle weakness; muscle aches; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; or fever should contact their healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and treatment. The young, elderly, those with chronic conditions, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to foodborne illness.
This item was originally posted at 4:36 p.m.
Farmstead spokeswoman Ariel Sasso, of Marlo marketing/communications, on Friday said the inspection resulted from an item in Wednesday's Journal Food section announcing the company's meat club gift package. "As a result of an article ... the Rhode Island Department of Health decided to inspect our cheese shop, a beloved part of Wayland Square for the past 10 years. Despite a thorough passing inspection by the Department of Health in 2010 and no change in food preparation, handling or storage practices since that time, the Department of Health has decided to temporarily close the retail component of Farmstead Inc. "As a European-style cheese shop, the majority of our products come from small, artisan producers throughout the U.S. In 10 years of doing business in Providence and to customers across the country, no one has ever complained of falling ill; Farmstead Inc.’s reputation is untarnished in that regard. However, we have agreed to a voluntary recall based on new assumptions being made by the Health Department, namely around their determination of how best to store raw milk and soft cheese products. "We hope to reopen the retail component of our business soon, and are working in full compliance with the Department of Health. Our restaurant remains open for lunch and dinner daily.
Updated December 14, 2012 5:59 PM