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 September 11, 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) was sold to two distributors in Providence, Rhode Island. QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) was distributed to retail stores in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, and to one distributor in Providence, Rhode Island.
QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) is packaged in a hard plastic (clam shell) container labeled with the brand name Queso El Azteca, UPC 0 23986 92692 8, and expiration date September 11, 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), no UPC coding, and with expiration date September 11, 2010.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of sampling by the Rhode Island Department of Health which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) with expiration date September 11, 2010. We are recalling both QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and QUESO HEBRA (FRESH WHITE STRING CHEESE) with expiration date September 11, 2010 (both produced on 8/11/10) 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 September 11, 2010 are urged to return them 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
