Oasis Brands of Miami, Florida is recalling some lots of Lacteos Santa Martha cheese products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. FDA is investigating illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. There is no word on how many people may be sick. The recall is the result of sampling by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and subsequent FDA environmental samples that revealed the presence of the bacteria. The company stopped production and distribution of the product. You can see the long list of recalled cheeses at the FDA web site along with the associated UPC numbers. They include Queso Fresco, Quesito Casero, Crema Guatemalteca, Mantequilla Hondurena, and Crema Cuzcitian, among others. You can also see pictures of the product … [Read more...]
If You ate Recalled Wawona Fruit and Are Sick, Here’s What to Do
We've received many comments from people who ate Wawona peaches, plums, nectarines, and pluots that have been recalled for Listeria and have been experiencing illness. It's important to remember that no illnesses have yet been officially reported in connection with this recalled fruit, and that there is no guarantee that the fruit you purchased was contaminated. Listeria monocytogenes can cause two types of infections: listerial gastroenteritis, which is less serious, and invasive listeriosis, which is a serious blood infection. Listeriosis food poisoning is very rare; there are only 2,500 cases diagnosed in the U.S. every year out of 300,000,000 people. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause serious illness, especially in very young … [Read more...]
CDC Issues Report on Crave Brothers Listeria Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new report on the multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to Crave Brothers soft-ripened cheese in the summer of 2013. The Minnesota Department of Health notified the CDC about the outbreak on June 27, 2013, when two patients with invasive Listeria monocytogenes infections were sickened with Listeria bacteria that had indistinguishable PFGE patterns. The outbreak, which sickened six people, killed one person, and caused one miscarriage, was linked to one of three varieties of Crave Brothers cheese, including Les Frères, Petit Frère, or Petit Frère with truffles. Three patients bought the cheese at three different restaurants; two purchased the cheese at two different grocery stores. The cheeses had been purchased as … [Read more...]
Listeriosis Outbreak in Maryland and California From Roos Cheese
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has started an investigation into an outbreak of listeriosis, caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, in Maryland and California. One person in California was sick and died, and seven people are ill in Maryland. All seven people in Maryland have been hospitalized in this outbreak. Five of the illnesses, two mother-newborn pairs and a newborn, were related to pregnancy. All of the patients are Hispanic. All patients in Maryland reported consuming soft or semi-soft Hispanic-style cheese and all shopped at different locations of the same food store. At this time, the CDC is identifying the store only as Chain A. Testing of cheese products collected from Chain A stores in Maryland and Virginia found the outbreak strain of … [Read more...]
Infant Sickened with Listeria Prompts Oregon Cheese Recall
The Oregon Health Authority is recalling queso fresco cheese that was illegally imported from Mexico after an infant became ill with listeriosis, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The cheese was sold at a Latino grocery store in Woodburn, Oregon. Public health officials have started an investigation into the illness. The baby lives in Clackamas County. Queso fresco is a soft white cheese. It was sold unlabeled in plastic bags. Testing by the Oregon Department of Agriculture found the bacteria in several packages of the cheese. If you purchased this cheese, do not eat it. If you ate some of the cheese, you must monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. That's how long it can take for symptoms of the illness to manifest. Symptoms … [Read more...]
CDC Joins Crave Brothers Cheese Listeria Outbreak Investigation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has joined the investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health into the Listeria outbreak linked to Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheeses. The company recalled three types of its cheeses on July 3, 2013 after an outbreak was announced. At least five people have been sickened in four states; one person in Minnesota has died and a woman has suffered a miscarriage. These cheeses, which include Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses with make dates of July 1, 2013 or earlier, should be discarded immediately. This is especially important for pregnant women, older adults, the very young, and anyone with weakened immune systems. Even if you ate some of the cheese and have not become sick, get rid of it. You could still … [Read more...]
Minnesota Resident Dies in Crave Brothers Cheese Listeria Outbreak
The Minnesota Department of Health has released information about the multistate Listeria outbreak linked to recalled Crave Brothers soft cheeses. Two people in Minnesota have been sickened in this outbreak. Both were older adults who became ill in early June; one of them has died. Three other people, one each in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio have also contracted listeriosis in this outbreak and have been hospitalized because of the seriousness of their infections. Most listeriosis cases occur in those in high risk groups: the elderly, the very young, those with compromised immune systems and chronic diseases, and pregnant women. Many people who are sick with this infection need to be hospitalized because it can be life-threatening, and about 20% of those with listeriosis die. The CDC … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak: Illinois Restaurants Sold Recalled Crave Brothers Cheese
Two Illinois restaurants served the Crave Brothers soft French cheeses that have been linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak. Girl & The Goat in Chicago, and the Hilton Hotel in Chicago sold the recalled cheese. Anyone who ate Les Frères, Petit Frère, or Petit Frère with Truffles at those restaurants may be at risk for developing listeriosis, a serious disease. Attorney Fred Pritzker, a nationally recognized food safety lawyer, said, "Listeriosis can be a devastating disease that is especially dangerous for the young, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. Most people who contract listeriosis are hospitalized and up to 20% of those with the illness die. Anyone who has been sick with the symptoms of listeriosis should see a doctor … [Read more...]
Crave Bros Cheese Listeria Outbreak Causes Death, Miscarriage
A Listeria outbreak linked to Crave Brothers cheese has hospitalized all five people that it has sickened, killing one of them and triggering a miscarriage in another, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Illnesses have been reported in Minnesota (2), Indiana (1), Illinois (1), and Ohio (1). Crave Brothers has issued a recall for affected cheese products which were sold nationwide at Whole Foods and Kroger stores, through mail order, at regional grocery stores in 13 states and served at foodservice outlets and restaurants. The recalled products are: Les Freres (LF225 2/2.5#) with a make date of 7-1-13 or prior, packaged in white plastic with a green and gold label, Petit Frere (PF88 8/8 oz) with a make date of 7-1-13 or prior, packaged in small round wooden boxes; … [Read more...]
