El Abuelito Recalls Queso Fresco Products

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.