Cheese fans: check your fridge. El Abuelito Cheese, of Paterson, New Jersey, is recalling all of its queso fresco, quesillo, and requeston products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here is What do I need to know about the recall?including the specific products, where the products were sold, and what to do if you bought them.
Which cheeses are involved in the recall?
The recall covers three types of cheese, each made by El Abuelito Cheese:
- cream cheese (fresh, soft cheese) with an expiry date until March 28, 2021
- Quesillo (Oaxaca, cheese spread) with an expiry date until April 16, 2021
- Requeson (Ricotta) with an expiry date until March 14, 2021
As of February 26, the contaminated cheeses were believed to be the cause of 10 illnesses and nine hospital stays in four states. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While the products were all made in the same factoryThey are sold under the brand “El Abuelito Cheese” in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and distributed as “Rio Grande Food Products” in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland and as “Rio Lindo”. Cheese in North Carolina and Maryland.
According to the FDA, the Cheese is also sold under the following brands (although it was not stated where these varieties are distributed and sold): Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos and Ideal Brands.
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The cheeses were sold in supermarkets, wholesale and retail stores. From 27th of February The FDA has reason to believe that multiple retail locations in five states (Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) have received El Abuelito-branded products that were included in the recall. You can see that full list of facilities here.
The FDA advises that this list may not include all retailers who received the recalled product or retailers who did not actually receive the recalled product. Therefore, it is important to use the available product-specific identification information, including UPC codes Here and Here. In addition, the FDA has not provided a list of potential establishments selling El Abuelito cheese under various brand names.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenes is not a joke. The body can cause a variety of unpleasant (albeit short-term) symptoms in otherwise healthy people, including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
However, it can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and other people with weakened immune systems. It is especially dangerous for pregnant people the FDA saysListeria monocytogenes infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.
What to do if you bought the recalled cheese
Obviously, if you’ve bought any of the cheeses listed above, you’re not eating them. Instead, return the products to their place of purchase for a full refund. In addition, The FDA recommends Anyone who has purchased or received any of the recalled cheeses should be extra vigilant when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This is especially important because listeria can survive in chilled temperatures and easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
Consumers with questions can contact El Abuelito at (973) 345-3503 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.
