The CDC has updated the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Roos Foods dairy products. A total of eight people have been sickened in two states. They are: California (1) and Maryland (7). Seven of the eight ill persons have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so severe. One death was reported in California. Five of the illnesses (2 mother-newborn pairs and a newborn) were related to pregnancy. All of the patients are of Hispanic origin.
The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes responsible for these illnesses was found in cheese products made by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware. In addition, whole-genome sequencing of the bacteria isolated from Roos Foods Cheese products found they were “highly related” to the Listeria isolated from patients in the outbreak. These cheeses, along with other dairy products, have been recalled. On March 11, 2014, the FDA suspended Roos Foods’ food facility registration, so they can no longer distribute products.
The recalled products include Cuajada En Terron, Cuajada/Cuajadita Cacer, Cuajada Fresca, Queso Fresco Round, Queso Cojito Molido, Queso Duro Blando (hard cheese), Queso Duro Viejo (hard cheese), Requeson, Queso de Huerta, and Queso Fresco. In addition, Roos Foods is recalling all product sizes and containers of these sour creams and butter: Santa Rosa de Lima Crema Salvadorena Cultured Sour Cream, Crema Pura Mexicana Cultured Sour Cream, La Chapina Crema Guatemalteca Guatemalan Style Cream, Amigo Brand Crema Centroamericana Cultured Sour Cream, and Santa Rosa de Lima Mantequilla de Bolsa Tradicion Centroamericana. The products were distributed in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
If you purchased any of these products, do not eat them. Return them to the place of purchase or discard them in a sealed container so other people and animals can’t get at them. If you ate any of these products, watch yourself for the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning for the next 70 days. That’s how long it can take for symptoms to appear. Those symptoms include a flu-like illness, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, headache, persistent fever, muscle aches, and confusion. Pregnant women may only be mildly ill, but listeriosis can cause miscarriage, infection in newborns, and stillbirth.
