Listeria Risk Prompts Recall of L’Ancêtre, Farm Boy Organic Cheeses 2026

Listeria monocytogenes may be present in a range of organic cheeses sold across Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a Class 1 food recall warning as a result. The affected cheeses carry the L’Ancêtre, Farm Boy and Life Smart brands, and the recall was announced on October 14, 2026.

If you bought organic cheddar, mozzarella or Swiss cheese under any of these labels, take a moment to check your fridge and freezer. Cheese contaminated with this bacteria can look and smell perfectly normal.

Products Affected by This Recall

The recall covers twelve organic cheese products. Recalling firm Fromagerie L’Ancêtre Inc. is named in the notice. The products are listed below with their sizes, UPC numbers and codes.

Farm Boy

• Organic Swiss Cheese, 190 g, UPC 8 08912 02276 5, BB 2027 JL 30, code 243E
• Organic Medium Cheddar Cheese, 200 g, UPC 8 08912 02279 6, BB 2027 JL 30, code 811D
• Organic Old Cheddar Cheese, 200 g, UPC 8 08912 02278 9, BB 2027 JL 30, code 562D
• Organic Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 200 g, UPC 8 08912 01237 7, BB 2027 JL 30, code G6D
• Organic 3 Year Old Cheddar Cheese, 195 g, UPC 8 08912 01236 0, BB 2027 JL 30, code 392Z

Life Smart

• Organic Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese, 200 g, UPC 0 59749 99105 6, BB 2027 MR 30, code 401E

L’Ancêtre

• Organic Swiss Cheese, 200 g, UPC 7 78177 49960 5, BB 2027 JL 30, code 243E
• Organic Cheddar Cheese – Shredded Old, 2 kg, UPC 7 78177 82933 4, code S146E, BB 2026 DE 04
• Organic Mozza – Cheddar Shredded Cheese Blend, 200 g, UPC 7 78177 49950 6, code S150E, BB 2026 DE 11 and BB 2027 JA 17
• Organic Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded Partially Skimmed, 1 kg, UPC 7 78177 82938 9, code S161E, BB 2026 DE 25
• Organic Swiss Cheese – Shredded, 1 kg, UPC 7 78177 82960 0, code S164E, BB 2026 DE 25
• Organic Cheddar Cheese – Shredded Medium, 2 kg, UPC 7 78177 85132 8, code S177E, BB 2027 JA 24

Match the best before date and the code on the package against this list. A matching brand alone does not mean a product is part of the recall.

What Triggered the Recall

The recall was triggered by CFIA test results. No illnesses linked to these products have been reported so far.

The CFIA says its food safety investigation is ongoing and may lead to the recall of other products. The agency is also verifying that industry is removing the recalled cheeses from the marketplace.

Who Should Be Concerned

Distribution is national, so shoppers in any province could have bought the affected cheeses. The notice does not name specific stores or regions beyond the three brands. It also lists larger 1 kg and 2 kg shredded formats, which suggests the products may have reached food service and institutional buyers as well as households. That is an inference from the package sizes, not a statement in the notice.

Listeria infection poses the greatest danger to certain groups. Pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Pregnant women may only have mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

Steps Consumers Should Take

Here is what to do right now:

• Check your fridge, freezer and pantry for the products and codes listed above.
• Do not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute any recalled product.
• Throw recalled cheese out, or return it to the location where you bought it.
• Wash and sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have touched the cheese.
• If you think you became sick after eating a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider.

Contaminated food may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. In severe cases, the illness can be fatal.

Regulatory Response

The notice was published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and carries recall number RA-82779 (CFIA ID 17605). It is classified as a Class 1 recall, and the agency’s instruction to the public is to not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute the recalled products.

Consumers and businesses with questions can reach the company at info@fromagerieancetre.com. Public enquiries can go to the CFIA at 1-613-773-2342 or information@inspection.gc.ca. Media can call 613-773-6600 or email cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca.

Because the investigation is still open, more products could be added. Check the official recall page for updates, or sign up for CFIA recall notifications by email.