A fresh cheese recall is a good reason for Canadian shoppers to slow down before serving a late-summer snack board, pasta salad or no-cook dinner. On August 17, the federal recalls portal posted a notification for certain Bianca Murgia, Longo's Curato and Sapori Coratini cheese products because of generic E. coli. The affected items include burrata-style fresh stretched cheese with cream and stracciatella, with distribution listed for Ontario and Quebec. This is not a reason to panic or throw out every soft cheese in the fridge, but it is a reason to check brand names, package sizes, UPCs and date or lot codes before eating, serving or bringing these products to a gathering.
The key products named in the notice are Bianca Murgia Burrantina Pugliese Fresh Stretched Cheese with Cream in 100 g packages, Longo's Curato Burrata Soft Fresh Cheese in 100 g packages, Bianca Murgia Burratina Pugliese in 125 g and 200 g packages, Sapori Coratini Stracciatella in 200 g packages, and Bianca Murgia Burratina Pugliese al Tartufo in 125 g packages. The codes listed around the recall include best-before or code markings such as 12Aug26, 12/08/2026 and lot code 60720330E, depending on the product. Shoppers should compare the full recall table with the package in hand, because a similar-looking tub or ball of cheese may not be part of the recall if the UPC and code do not match.
The most useful takeaway is simple: do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products. If one of the recalled cheeses is in your fridge, keep it separate from ready-to-eat foods, wash your hands after handling it, and return it to the store or discard it according to the recall instructions. Fresh cheeses such as burrata are often opened beside tomatoes, greens, cured meats, bread and dips, so it is also worth wiping the shelf, drawer or cutting board where the package sat or leaked. If the cheese was already served, note the brand and code from the package if available, and watch for any symptoms that would justify calling a health professional.
This recall also shows why the best bargain in the deli case is not always the lowest sticker price. Soft fresh cheeses are often bought for quick meals, entertaining and summer salads, which means they can move quickly from the store bag to a shared plate. Before buying, check that the package is cold, sealed and not swollen, and make the cheese one of the last items added to the cart. At home, put it away promptly, keep it refrigerated until serving, and avoid leaving it on a counter for a long grazing session. These habits are useful even when there is no recall, and they protect the value of a higher-priced specialty item.
It is also a reminder to make recalls part of the weekly grocery routine, not a once-in-a-while emergency search. The same August 17 federal recalls feed included an Olymel Cooked Turkey Breast Roast Honey & Dijon notification for incorrect labelling and undeclared mustard, distributed to Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. A few days earlier, Clément le Gourmand country-style pùté and liver mousse products were recalled in Quebec because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Those are different issues, but the shopper behaviour is the same: check the product name, size, UPC, code and province, then follow the recall's instruction rather than relying on smell, taste or appearance.
For households trying to stretch grocery dollars, the practical move is to build a small recall check into meal planning. Before a weekend shop, scan the federal recalls page for the categories you buy most often: dairy, deli meats, prepared foods, snacks, baby products and household goods. When unpacking, keep receipts for perishable specialty foods at least until they are eaten, and take a quick photo of package codes for items that may be transferred to containers. If you shop for an older relative, a child with allergies, or anyone with a weakened immune system, send them the recall link or check their fridge directly. The goal is not to make shopping more stressful; it is to prevent a recalled product from turning an expensive grocery run into wasted food or a health worry. For extra peace of mind, keep a small 'check before serving' rule for premium refrigerated foods bought for parties: look at the recall feed, match the lot code, and only then open the package.
Source trail: - Various brands of cheese products recalled due to generic E. coli - Canada.ca: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-cheese-products-recalled-due-generic-e-coli - Olymel brand Cooked Turkey Breast Roast Honey & Dijon recalled due to incorrect labelling and undeclared mustard - Canada.ca: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/olymel-brand-cooked-turkey-breast-roast-honey-dijon-recalled-due-incorrect-labelling - Clément le Gourmand brand meat products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes - Canada.ca: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/clement-gourmand-brand-meat-products-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes - Food Safety - Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/food-safety.html