The current outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese has several distinct PFGE patterns. Pritzker Olsen's client, John McKissick, is one of 14 confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to the cheese or to products cross-contaminated by the cheese. The bacteria that caused Mr. McKissick's illness is part of the outbreak strain. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, is the gold standard of bacterial DNA analysis. The technique separates DNA molecules by placing the bacteria in an agarose gel solution. Voltage is switched among three directions through the gel. This separates the DNA in a forward migration. The different lengths of DNA move through the gel at different rates. Larger pieces move more slowly than small pieces. Over time, … [Read more...]
Peterson Company Recalls Frescolina Ricotta Salata for Listeria
Peterson Company is recalling Frescolina brand ricotta salata imported by Forever Cheese of Long Island City, New York for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese was sold to distributors, retailers, and restaurants in Washington and Oregon between July 17 and September 10, 2012. The recalled product is Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand, cut into 7 ounce pieces, with manufacturer codes 7022, 7212, 7272, and 7432. There is a total of 390 pounds of the cheese in distribution. The potential for contamination was discovered after an illness was reported in connection with eating the cheese. The CDC recommends that consumers not eat imported Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese. The Frescolina brand of ricotta salata is subject to a nationwide recall and is linked … [Read more...]
Lawsuit against Whole Foods and Forever Cheese Seeks Money Damages for Listeria Food Poisoning Victim
Attorney Fred Pritzker, a national food safety lawyer, filed the first lawsuit against Forever Cheese, Inc. for listeriosis allegedly caused by Frescolina ricotta salata cheese that had been imported by the company and then sold to Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. According to the complaint filed in the case, Pritzker's client, John McKissick, is one of 14 confirmed cases of listeriosis linked to the cheese. Mr. McKissick allegedly ate several kinds of cheeses purchased at a Whole Foods Market store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, several days before becoming ill. “Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous foodborne pathogen,” explained Pritzker, who represents listeriosis victims nationwide. “Each Listeria outbreak is caused by a genetically unique strain of the bacteria. … [Read more...]
Questions About Whole Foods Market Cheese Recalls
On September 12, 2012, Whole Foods Market recalled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese imported by Forever Cheese, Inc. for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was sold in 21 states and Washington, D.C. The cheese was "cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap, and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427," according to the recall notice. The cheese is linked to a nationwide outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in 11 states. The FDA issued a nationwide recall for the cheese on September 10, 2012. However, Whole Foods has not identified the store or distribution center that cut, repackaged, labeled, and distributed the cheese. The public does not know if, in the process of cutting and repackaging the contaminated cheese, other cheeses or … [Read more...]
Attorney Calls for Transparency in Ricotta Salata Listeria Outbreak Investigation
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing two people who were sickened in the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to imported Frescolina ricotta salata cheese, called on the CDC, FDA, and state health departments to name all of the cheeses, manufacturers, distributors, retail outlets, and restaurants who may have sold the cheese. Pritzker said, "Admittedly, health agencies must utilize discretion in identifying companies and products implicated in outbreaks. However, the health of consumers must drive these disclosures, not the financial implications for companies in the supply chain of adulterated products." The cheese, which was distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. of New York, has been recalled by Whole Foods, Kroger Foods, and the FDA. It is linked to an outbreak which, … [Read more...]
Kroger Recalls Ricotta Salata for Possible Listeria Contamination
Kroger is recalling ricotta salata cheese "affected in QFC stores" because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This is part of the larger recall of the Frescolina brand ricotta salata made by Forever cheese that has sickened at least 14 people in 11 states and killed two. The outbreak was announced by the CDC on September 11, 2012. The cheese comes from one batch that was produced in Italy and imported to the United States. The FDA found the outbreak strain of the bacteria in an uncut sample of the cheese. Since the cheese can have a four-month shelf-life, and it was sold between June 20 and August 9, 2012, some customers may still have the cheese in their refrigerators. It's possible that cross-contamination has occurred at some point along the distribution chain, which … [Read more...]
CDC Report On Cheese Listeria Outbreak Raises More Questions Than Answers
A recall for cheese linked to Listeria illnesses posted Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided little information about the outbreak that has sickened 14 people and killed two. One day later, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) filled in some gaps but it also raised questions, according to a national food safety advocate. "Forever Cheese is recalling cheese sold to distributors between June 20 and August 9, 2012, yet the CDC Epi Curve clearly shows that many outbreak illnesses occurred long before the recall period. This implies that more product was implicated," said Fred Pritzker, food safety attorney and advocate. Pritzker is referring to the bar graph included in all CDC outbreak reports that shows when samples from sick … [Read more...]
