The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says a nasty Listeria outbreak appears to be over.

A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states and the District of Columbia.

20 ill persons were hospitalized. Four deaths were reported. Public health officials determined that two of these deaths were related to listeriosis. One fetal loss was reported.

Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy and distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. was the likely source of this outbreak.

On September 10, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of this cheese with a single lot number and/or production code.

On September 13, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed the exporter of the recalled cheese, Fattorie Chiarappa S.R.L.of Conversano, Italy, on Import Alert. This means that Fattorie Chiarappa cheese will be denied admission into the United States unless the importer shows that the cheese product is not contaminated with Listeria.

On September 14, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes of Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese and issued a market withdrawal of all cheeses they received that were produced by the Italian cheese exporter.