New Jersey health officials have issued a public health advisory about cheese products produced by El Ranchero del Sur, LLC of South River, NJ. after doctors at a New Brunswick hospital diagnosed a woman who was 38 weeks pregnant with a Listeria monocytogenes infection. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Listeria  monocytogenes in a sample of Los Corrales Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese and Banana Leaf dated 03/16/12. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Those especially volunerable include  young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems including pregnant women. Symptoms of a Listeria infection include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeria can … [Read more...]