Queso fresco and other cheeses made by El Abuelito, of Paterson NJ, and recalled in connection with an ongoing Listeria outbreak were more widely distributed than initially reported, according to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late this afternoon.
It is now known that queso fresco, Requeson, and Quesillo made by El Abuelito and sold under a variety of brand names were distributed to at least 25 states Not a half dozen as initially thought.
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Most of the stores on the distribution list are independently owned Mexican groceries and small delis, not large chain stores. El Abuelito packaged the recalled Requeson and Quesillo cheeses in bulk sizes. They were sold under the brand names El Abuelito, Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, and Ideal. However, it is likely that many of the stores that received these bulk cheeses cut them into smaller sizes and repackaged them with labels that may not bear the brand name of the bulk cheeses. The FDA advises consumers who have recently purchased any Requeson or Quesillo cheese to contact the store where it was purchased and ask the name of the manufacturer.
The recalled queso fresco cheeses were sold in retail sizes under the brand names El Abuelito, Rio Lindo, and Rio Grande.
El Abuelito Queso Fresco Listeria Outbreak
The El Abuelito Listeria outbreak has sickened 11 people in four states. The case count from each state is: Connecticut (1), Maryland (4), New York (4), and Virginia (2). Two of the illnesses are pregnancy-related. One person has died.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, other muscle stiffness, nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. If you ate any of the products recalled by El Abuelito and are experiencing these symptoms, please see a doctor right away.
The people sickened said they first experienced symptoms of illness on dates ranging from October 20, 2020, to February 14, 2021. The patients range in age from less than one year old to 75 years old. Ten of them are Hispanic.
If you or a family member are part of this outbreak and would like a free consultation with our experienced team of Listeria lawyers, please contact us today by calling 888-377-8900 (toll-free), texting 612-261-0856 or by completing the form below.