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...]
Maker of Cheese Linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak Put on Import Alert By FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed the maker of recalled cheese linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak that has sickened 14 people and killed two on import alert. Cheese made by Fattorie Chiarappa S.R.L.of Conversano, Italy, will be denied admission into the United States unless the company can show, through independent lab testing, that it is not contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Federal officials have identified imported ricotta salata as the source of a Listeria outbreak that has sickened 14 people in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Ricotta salata is not the same kind of ricotta cheese that is sold in tubs and often used to make lasagna. The cheese was distributed by Forever Cheese of Long Island City, NY, to various wholesale and retail stores … [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...]
First Listeria Lawsuit Filed Against Whole Foods
The first lawsuit has been filed in federal court against Whole Foods on behalf of John McKissick and his wife Patricia. Mr. McKissick was sickened in the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese imported by Forever Cheese Inc. and sold at Whole Foods stores. Mrs. McKissick purchased a variety of cheeses on May 27, 2012 at one of the Whole Foods stores in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. McKissick consumed a portion of each of the cheeses in the following days. Several days later, he began experiencing listeriosis symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. He was hospitalized when the symptoms worsened. A spinal tap confirmed that his illness was caused by Listeria monocytogenes. A sample was sent to the Centers for Disease … [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...]
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked To Forever Foods Ricotta Salata
Three deaths have been reported in connection with the Listeria outbreak linked to Frescolina brand Ricotta Salata that has sickened 14 people in 11 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All of those who contracted the infection have been hospitalized. By state the case counts are as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1). Illnesses were diagnosed from March 28, 2012 to August 30, 2012. Pregnant women are especially at risk with Listeria which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects and premature delivery. Four of the illnesses in this outbreak were related to a pregnancy; two of … [Read more...]
Multi-State Listeria Outbreak Linked To Forever Cheese Includes Ohio and Colorado
A Colorado resident and an Ohio resident are among the 14 people who have been sickened in an 11-state outbreak of listeriosis linked to Frescolina brand Ricotta Salata by Forever Cheese, state public health officials told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. The outbreak was announced last night by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The case patient in Ohio is a 29-year-old female living in Franklin County, according to a health department spokeswoman. Specific information about the Colorado patient was not available. Ricotta salata is a pressed and dried variation of ricotta cheese which is usually made with sheep’s milk. The recalled cheese was distributed to restaurants, retailers and wholesalers in 18 states and the District of Columbia between June 20 and August 9, 2012. … [Read more...]
Cheese Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frescolina Brand Ricotta Salata
A Listeria outbreak linked to Frescolina brand Ricotta Salata by Forever Cheese has sickened 14 people in 11 states and prompted a nationwide recall. The potential contamination was discovered after an illness was reported in connection with eating the cheese. The cheese was sold to retailers, restaurants and wholesalers in 18 states and the District of Columbia between June 20 and August 9, 2012. Consumers who have this cheese at home should not eat it. Ricotta Salata is a variation of ricotta cheese that has been pressed and dried. It is most often made with sheep's milk. The recalled cheese had a production date code of 441202 on the original wheel. It was initially distributed to the following states: CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA, and … [Read more...]
