The Listeria outbreak linked to Roos cheeses has ended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight people in two states were sickened, one of them died. No new cases were added since the outbreak was announced on February 21. Seven of the cases were in Maryland, the fatality was in California. Three of the victims were newborns, two mothers of the newborns were also sickened. All of the patients were Hispanic and all but one of them required hospitalization. Adults associated with this outbreak reported eating soft or semi-soft Hispanic-style cheese before they became sick. Three of them said they had purchased Roos cheese. All of them shopped at different locations of same grocery store chain, Mega Mart. Tests of Roos cheese products made repackaged … [Read more...]
Roos Expands Cheese Recall For Possible Listeria
Roos Foods of Kenton, DE is expanding its recall of cheeses that may be contaminated with the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The recall now includes all lots of Amigo and Mexicana brands of Requesón part-skim ricotta in 15 oz. and 16 oz. plastic containers and all lots of Amigo, Mexicana and Santa Rosa De Lima brands of Queso de Huerta (fresh curd cheese). These cheese and others, listed below, were sold at Megamart and other grocery stores in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. They are being recalled in association with a Listeria outbreak that has sickened seven people in Maryland and killed one person in California. In addition to the cheeses listed above, all lots of the following cheese are being recalled: Cuajada En Terron, Cuajada/Cuajadita Cacera, Cuajada Fresca, Queso … [Read more...]
Gut Microbes Affect Infection Response to Listeria
The army of microbes that resides in the human gut may provide a powerful defense against Listeria infection, according to a study published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The study, by a team of French researchers, shows that mice with germ-free intestines are more susceptible to Listeria infection than mice with the conventional intestinal microbes. Twenty four hours after infection, the number of Listeria in the intestines of the germ-free mice was 10,000 times greater than the number found in the small intestines of mice with conventional microbes; and about 1,000 times higher in the mesenteric lymph nodes of germ-free mice than it was in conventional mice. Researchers think the response may be similar in humans. Foods … [Read more...]
CDC Study: A Decade With No Progress in Reducing Listeriosis
It's been more than a decade since the U.S. has made progress in reducing the incidence of listeriosis, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the past decade, listeriosis rates in the U.S. have remained fairly constant at about 800 cases annually. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, outbreaks linked to Listeria in hot dogs and deli meat prompted industry and regulatory reforms that required the use of ingredients that inhibit Listeria growth in processed meat. Those reforms lead to a reduction in the rate of listeriosis cases of about 37 percent, but the rate has remained fairly steady since then. The study looked at Listeria cases from 2009-2011. Of the 1,651 cases of listeriosis that occurred during that period, 93 percent or … [Read more...]
Garden Fresh Expands Recall on Salads, Slaw, Dips on Listeria Fears
Garden-Fresh Foods of Milwaukee is expanding its recall of ready-to-eat salads, slaws, and dips for potential Listeria contamination. The products were sold under various brands and code dates, click here to see the full list. The recalled products were sold in various sizes and distributed to retail stores and food services in the following states: WI, MN, IA, IL, OH, IN, TX, FL, MA, MO, MI, PA, AZ, CA. No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products but consumers who have purchased them should not eat them as Listeria can cause serious illness and death. Young children, seniors, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Symptoms of … [Read more...]
Crave Brothers Les Freres Cheese Linked to Listeriosis Outbreak in Minnesota Results in Wrongful Death
Health officials have linked a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis to eating Les Frères cheese made by Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company, a Wisconsin producer, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. To date, two people in Minnesota have become ill, one of whom died. Both were older adults and hospitalized in early June. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is testing samples of the cheese and early results indicate presence of Listeria, bacteria that causes listeriosis food poisoning, an infection that often leads to meningitis, sepsis and wrongful death. Minnesota health officials are warning consumers who may have purchased these cheeses: Les Frères, Petit Frère, Petit Frère with Truffles and still have it in their refrigerators to not eat it until more … [Read more...]
