The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shut down operations at Roos Foods Inc. of Kenton, DE yesterday by suspending the company’s food facility registration. FDA inspectors found unsanitary conditions at the dairy foods processing company which has been linked to a Listeria outbreak that has sickened eight people, killing one of them.
Consumers who have purchased Roos cheese, sour cream or other dairy products from the company, where inspectors found roof water raining down onto the equipment in the cheese processing room, rusty equipment and standing water on the floor, should not eat them. Unlike other foodborne pathogens, Listeria can thrive in cool temperatures.
All lots and product sizes of the following Roos products have been recalled: Santa Rosa de Lima Queso Duro Blando, Mexicana Queso Cojito Molido, Amigo, Anita, Mexicana, and Santa Rose de Lima brands of: Cuajada En Terron, Cuajada/Cuajadita Cacer, Cuajada Fresca, Queso Fresco Round, and Queso Duro Viejo, Requeson, Queso de Huerta and Quesco Fresco. Sour cream has also been recalled. The cheeses were packaged in different sized clear plastic wrapped styrofoam trays, clear plastic wrapped, clear plastic vacuum package, and clear rigid plastic containers. If you purchased a recalled product, there is a chance that it could cross contaminate other items in your refrigerator. Here’s what you need to do:
Do not eat the recalled product. Clean your refrigerator, food preparation surfaces and any utensils used to cut or serve the the cheese. Do this by first using warm, soapy water to wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops; then sanitizing them using a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used. Wash your hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitization process.
