Three stores have posted recalls of Karoun Dairies cheeses on their websites for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is an outbreak associated with these cheeses that has sickened 24 people, killed one person, and caused one miscarriage over the past five years.
Wegmans has posted a recall of six varieties of cheese sold in the Cheese Shop. They are Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco with UPC number 277889000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Panela with UPC number 277884000000, Queso Del Valle Queso Fresco with UPC number 277883000000, Queso Del Valle Cotija with UPC number 277885000000, Central Valley Creamery Farm Fresh Basket Cheese in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 79625222003, and GOPI Paneer in 226 gram packages with UPC number 79625270008.
Big Y has posted a recall as well. Those items include Queso Del Valle Cotija in 8 ounce packages with use by date of 2/29/2016 and UPC number 29839-00557, Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 29839-00557, all use by dates recalled, and Queso Del Valle Queso Fresco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 29839-00557 and use by date of 11/8/2015.
Finally, Price Chopper has posted a recall for these cheeses. It is for Queso Del Valle Fresco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083, Queso Del Valle Queso Blanco in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083, and Queso Del Valle Cotija in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 96252 80083.
If you have purchased any of these products, or any of the other recalled Karoun Dairies cheeses, do not eat them. Discard in a sealed or double bagged container, or return to the place of purchase for a refund. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling these cheeses, even if they are still in the container. Then clean out your refrigerator, or any surface or utensil the cheese may have touched, with a mild bleach solution. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures and bleach will kill it.
If you ate any of the recalled cheeses, monitor yourself for the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning. Those symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear, but usually occur within three weeks. The symptoms of this illness include flu-like fever and muscle aches, upset stomach or diarrhea, stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, and confusion. It is important to get medical attention for this type of infection, which can lead to serious complications.
Pregnant women are especially susceptible to this infection. Listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and infection in the newborn even though the woman may only feel mildly ill. Some physicians give their patients antibiotics to prevent this infection if they ate any product recalled for Listeria contamination.
If you ate any recalled Karoun Dairies cheeses over the past five years and have been diagnosed with Listeria monocytogenes poisoning, contact your doctor. You may be part of this outbreak.
