An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis) in Washington has been linked to Queseria Bendita soft cheese and sour cream. All of the products were sold at the company’s on-site store in Yakima Washington. Read about Listeria from cheese in Spanish: Listeriosis Queso.
To date 3 people are part of this outbreak. Two were hospitalized, one died.
Prompted by the outbreak, the company issued a recall all lots of Panela, Queso Fresco, Requeson, Cotija fresh soft cheese products and sour cream with best by dates up to 4/16/2015. These products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that causes severe illness, often fatal in newborn babies, young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems. A Listeria infection in a pregnant woman can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth.
The recalled Panela, Queso Fresco, Requeson, Cotija fresh soft cheese products and sour cream were distributed to grocery stores in Washington and Oregon, and the firm also sold products from its on-site store in Yakima, Washington.
The recalled products are packaged with clear plastic wrapper or plastic tub, and are stamp coded with the best by date up to 4/16/2015. The products are refrigerated and have the shelf life of up to 90 days.
The products being recalled are identified below:
- Panela 1 lb. – UPC 6 10074 99341 4 – Best By Date: Up to 041615
- Queso Fresco 1lb. – UPC 0 94922 10602 5 – Best By Date: Up to 041615
- Queso Fresco 3 lbs. – No UPC code – Best By Date: Up to 041615
- Requeson – 1 lb. UPC 0 94922 10603 2 – Best By Date: Up to 041615
- Sour Cream/Crema Agria 1 lb. – UPC 0 94922 10608 7
- Cotija Cheese 1 lb.
The recall was issued after the an investigation by the FDA, including product sample collection and testing, indicated these cheese products may be the source of the outbreak. The company has agreed to temporarily stop producing and distributing the products above.
