02/20/2021
Kingdom Resource Ministry & Outreach Traning.
• Rev. David Williams (Rev. Dave, Sr.)
• 512-568-9901
EVERYONE, PLEASE READ - CHEESE RECALL
Cheeses Such as Queso Fresco Linked to an Outbreak of Listeria
CDC says people at high risk should avoid queso fresco, queso blanco, and queso panela
Hispanic-style" fresh or soft cheese such as queso fresco, queso blanco, and queso panela has been linked to seven cases of listeriosis, a dangerous infection caused by the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
The illnesses occurred in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. The seven people who got sick were hospitalized.
While no specific type or brand of cheese has been definitely identified as the cause of the outbreak, and no products have been recalled, the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday issued a warning about El Abuelito Queso Fresco.
Officials at the Connecticut Department of Public Health found listeria monocytogenes in samples of this product purchased at a store where one of the people who was sick had bought cheeses. It’s not yet clear if the listeria found in this cheese is the same strain involved in the outbreak, and the FDA says there isn’t enough evidence to say whether the outbreak is linked to this cheese. However, the FDA and the Connecticut health department advise people not to eat El Abuelito Queso Fresco.
Consumer Reports' attempt to reach El Abuelito was unsuccessful.
Who's At High Risk?
Listeria poses a special risk to pregnant women. They are about 10 times more likely than others to get a listeria infection, the CDC says. About 20 percent of infections in pregnant women result in miscarriage; in about 3 percent of the cases, listeriosis leads to newborn death.
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It's also more dangerous, and potentially fatal, for the very old, young children and newborns, and people with immune-suppressing conditions. It’s rare for people outside of these groups to get listeriosis.
The FDA recommends that everyone avoid El Abuelito Queso Fresco for now. The product that tested positive for listeria was packaged in a 10-ounce plastic container with lot number of A027 and a date of February 26, 2021.
Anyone in a high-risk group should continue to avoid all brands of queso fresco, queso blanco, and similar cheeses until more information is available, the FDA says.
For other people, if you choose to eat these cheeses, make sure the label says “made with pasteurized milk.” Soft cheeses made with raw (unpasteurized) milk have long been known to be a potential source of listeria. However, soft cheeses made with pasteurized milk have also been the source of outbreaks caused by listeria.
“If you have this kind of cheese in your refrigerator, throw it away and thoroughly clean the area the cheese was stored in,” says Sana Mujahid, PhD, manager for food safety and testing at Consumer Reports. “Unlike most other foodborne pathogens, listeria can continue to grow at refrigerator temperatures. Any lingering bacteria can contaminate other foods stored in the same area.”
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
Listeria symptoms usually appear one to four weeks after someone eats the tainted food, but symptoms have also occurred on the same day and up to 70 days after, according to the CDC.
Pregnant women typically experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches. Others may also have fever or muscle aches, along with diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, they may also experience a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Because of the danger to people in high-risk groups, it’s important to consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms and you have eaten this type of cheese.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include information about El Abuelito queso fresco. It was originally published Feb. 12, 202 **** UPDATED TO 2/20/21
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