Del Bueno of Grandview, WA is recalling all size packages of Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese, Queso Panela Fresh Cheese, Requeson Mexican Style Ricotta Cheese, and Queso Enchilado Dry Cheese, the FDA announced.
They have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Del Bueno distributed the cheese to retail markets in Washington and Oregon and to the flea market in Pasco, WA.
The following products are being recalled:
- Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese, UPC 75318225028 for 16 oz. package, UPC 753182814063 for 3 lbs. package, date code up to and including Feb 10 2011.
- Queso Panela Fresh Cheese, UPC 753182814056, date code up to and including Feb 10 2011.
- Requeson Mexican Style Ricotta Cheese, UPC 753182814070, date code up to and including Jan 10 2011
- Queso Enchilado Dry Cheese, no UPC date code up to and including Mar 15 2011.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall is the result of the environmental samples and finished product samples by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the result of the finished product samples by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). The test results revealed that the cheeses are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Del Bueno has notified their customers and has pulled the products from retail stores. The firm is working with FDA to conduct the recall.
Consumers who have purchased Del Bueno brand cheeses are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Del Bueno at 425-503-3823 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Pacific Time.
