Azteca Linda Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) with an expiration date of July 7, 2010 because 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 high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) were distributed within New York State (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Newburgh) and to Bayonne, New Jersey through retail stores between the dates of June 7, 2010 and June 9, 2010.
QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) is packed in a hard plastic container or wrapped in aluminum foil labeled with the brand name Queso El Azteca , UPC 0 23986 92692 8, and expiration date July 7, 2010. QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) is packaged in a vacuum sealed plastic bag, Net Weight 14 oz. and Net Weight 5 lbs., and labeled with the brand Queso El Azteca (Queso Oaxaca) with the expiration date of July 7, 2010.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of environmental sampling and inspection by the FDA which revealed that certain areas within the facility contained the bacteria. We are recalling QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) with expiration date July 7, 2010 as a precaution to keep the public safe.
Consumers who have purchased QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) with expiration date of JULY 7, 2010 are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Azteca Linda Corp. at 718-418-7459, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm EDT.
Source: FDA