El Abuelito Cheese Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson - recalled due to Listeria

United States

Company name: El Abuelito Cheese
Brand name: El Abuelito, El Viejito and more
Product recalled: Queso Fresco, Quesillo, and Requeson Products
Reason of the recall: Listeria monocytogenes
FDA Recall date: February 27, 2021
Recall details: El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

All Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through 032821; all Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese) products with sell by dates through 041621; and all Requeson (Ricotta) products with sell by dates through 031421 have been recalled. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD and Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, and Ideal Brands.

The products were distributed through Feb 16, 2021 and were available in supermarkets, wholesale, and retails stores. The following products being recalled were produced at Plant #34-12179 in the following form. Retailers may have repackaged the bulk Quesillo into smaller containers and sold this repackage product to consumers. This repackaged product may not bear the original labeling and product information as described below.

QUESILLO:
- El Abuelito Cheese. Quesillo Abuelito. Size: 12oz. Container Type: Vacuum Pack. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Abuelito Cheese. Quesillo Abuelito. Size: 5Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag Loose Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Abuelito Cheese. Quesillo Abuelito. Size: 10Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag Loose Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Viejito. El Viejito. Size: 10Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag Loose Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Paisano. El Paisano. Size: 5Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Paisano. El Paisano. Size: 10Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- El Sabrosito. El Sabrosito. Size: 10Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- La Cima. La Cima. Size: 5Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- Quesos Finos. Quesos Finos. Size: 5Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- San Carlos. San Carlos. Size: 14Lbs. Container Type: Loose Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- Ideal. Ideal. Size: 5Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.
- Ideal. Ideal. Size: 10Lbs. Container Type: Vacuum Bag. UPC Code: 673130200000.

REQUESON/RICOTTA:
- El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. El Abuelito Requeson Ricotta. Size: 12oz. Container Type: Clam Shell Container. UPC Code: 673130300014.
- . El Abuelito Requeson Ricotta - Promocion $3.99. Size: 12oz. Container Type: Clam Shell Container. UPC Code: 673130300014.
- El Viejito. El Viejito Requeson/Ricotta. Size: 12oz. Container Type: Clam Shell Container. UPC Code: 718122180912.

As of February 27, 2021, the CDC reports ten people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states. El Abuelito has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

As part of this outbreak investigation, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected product samples of El Abuelito-brand Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses from a store where a sick person bought cheeses. On 2/19/2021, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis conducted by the Connecticut State Laboratory determined that the Listeria monocytogenes found in the samples is a match to the outbreak strain.

Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco, Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

FDA recommends that anyone who purchased or received any El Abuelito brand Quesillo, Requeson, or recalled Queso Fresco cheeses use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

Consumers with questions may contact El Abuelito Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST at (973) 345-3503.

Check the full recall details on www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/el-abuelito-expands-recall-include-queso-fresco-quesillo-and-requeson-products-because-possible

Source: FDA