RIDOH Issues Warning: El Abuelito Recalls Queso Fresco Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising consumers that El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (fresh, soft cheese) products, because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
As of February 11, 2021, the CDC reports seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states. To date, no cases have been identified in Rhode Island.
All Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through March 28, 2021 have been recalled. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; and Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD. The products were distributed through Feb 16, 2021 and were available in supermarkets, wholesale, and retails stores.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe following products being recalled were produced at Plant #34-12179 in the following forms:
El Abuelito has stopped the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue to investigate what caused the problem. Samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco are being analyzed for the presence of the same Listeria monocytogenes that caused illness in people. These analyses are still ongoing. There is not enough evidence to determine if this outbreak is linked to El Abuelito Queso Fresco.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
RIDOH, urges to call your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms (high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea) of infection with Listeria after eating Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.
