Listeria Contamination in Queso Fresco, Fresh White Cheese
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 12, 2007 -- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today warned consumers in the Kings County, New York area not to consume certain "Queseria Mexico, Queso Fresco, Fresh White Cheese," made by Quesos Mexico LLC, 2905 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11218 due to possible Listeria contamination.
The product is contained in a foil wrapped, 14 oz net weight package, displaying the plant number 36-7845, with a code of 1616. The consumer warning affects all packages with this code. The manufacturer name presented on the package is Queseria Mexico.
A routine sample of the cheese, taken by an inspector from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on October 01, 2007, was subsequently tested by the Department’s Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On October 5, 2007, the manufacturer was notified of a preliminary positive test result and voluntarily recalled the product from all their customers. Test results were confirmed on October 11, 2007. The cheese was disposed by the manufacturer. Subsequent samples will be taken to verify that the product is free of pathogens.
Listeria contaminated product could cause Listeriosis, a disease that usually causes mild flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals; however in immune-compromised individuals, meningitis and blood poisoning can occur. Pregnant women are also considered a high-risk group, as Listeriosis can also result in stillbirths.
To date, no illnesses are known by the Department to be associated with this product.
