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El Abuelito Recalls Queso Fresco Products

[CREDIT: FDA} El Abuelito Cheese has recalled it soft cheese products due to a possible Listeria contamination.
[CREDIT: FDA} El Abuelito Cheese has recalled it soft cheese products due to a possible Listeria contamination.
[CREDIT: FDA} El Abuelito Cheese has recalled it soft cheese products due to a possible Listeria contamination.

PROVIDENCE— A potential Listeria contamination has prompted El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ to recall all Queso Fresco (fresh, soft cheese) products.

As of a Feb. 11, 2021, CDC report, seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states. No cases have so far been identified in Rhode Island.

All Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through March 28, 2021 have been recalled. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; and Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD. The products were distributed through Feb 16, 2021 and were available in supermarkets, wholesale, and retails stores.

The following products being recalled were produced at Plant #34-12179 in the following forms:

Brand Product Name Size Container Type UPC Code
El Abuelito Cheese Queso Fresco Regular 12 oz. Plastic Container 673130100003
Queso Fresco Promoción 10 oz. Plastic Container 673130100078
Queso Fresco de Hoja 12 oz. Plastic Container 673130100065
Queso Fresco 5 Lb. Vacuum Packed 673130100058
Queso Fresco Guatemala 12 oz. Plastic Container 673130100027
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc. Chirilagua Queso de Hacienda 12 oz. Plastic Container 738529005571
Queso Fresco Campestre con Hoja 14 oz. Plastic Container 812324031161
Queso Fresco Campestre Artesanal 14 oz. Plastic Container 738529002518
Queso Fresco con Hoja 14 oz. Plastic Container 738529004581
Queso Fresco Yorito 12 oz. Plastic Container 738529005564
Queso Fresco Olancho 14 oz. Plastic Container 812324031222
Cuajada Fresca Guatemalteca 12 oz. Plastic Container 738529001276
Cuajada Fresca Hondureña 12 oz. Plastic Container 738529001269
Cuajada Fresca Salvadoreña 12 oz. Plastic Container 738529001252
Rio Lindo Queso Fresco Mexicano 12 oz. Plastic Container 718122088587
Queso Fresco Hondureño 12 oz. Plastic Container 718122088591
Queso Fresco Salvadoreño 12 oz. Plastic Container 718122088607

El Abuelito has stopped the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue to investigate what caused the problem. Samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco are being analyzed for the presence of the same Listeria monocytogenes that caused illness in people. These analyses are still ongoing. There is not enough evidence to determine if this outbreak is linked to El Abuelito Queso Fresco.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that 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 high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms (high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea) of infection with Listeria after eating Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.

Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact directly El Abuelito Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST at (973) 345-3503.

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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