DENVER — Forever Cheese Inc. is recalling Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese with the lot number T9425 and production code 441202 due to possible listeria contamination.

Health department officials said Tuesday that 14 reported illnesses in 11 states may be linked to the cheese.

Forever Cheese, based in Long Island City, N.Y., says the cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C., between June 20 and Aug. 9.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)