Whole Foods Markets announced it is recalling a brand of ricotta cheese over listeria concerns, as part of a national recall that affects 21 states, including Georgia.

The cheese comes from Whole Foods supplier Forever Cheese Inc. in New York.

Forever Cheese recalled the product because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Forever Cheese issued a recall of one lot — 800 wheels of ricotta salata, or roughly 4,800 pounds — on Monday.

The cheese has been linked to illnesses in 11 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the CDC, Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, frail or elderly people and people with weakened immune systems. It can cause miscarriages among pregnant women.

The recalled Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese was cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427.

All "sell by" dates through Oct. 2 are affected. For more information, call Whole Foods Market at 512-542-0060 or read the recall notice on the FDA website.