El Abuelito Recalls Queso Fresco Products Because of Possible Health Risk

 El Abuelito Recalls Queso Fresco Products Because of Possible Health Risk
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The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is advising consumers that El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (fresh, soft cheese) products, because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. 

As of February 11, 2021, the CDC reports seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states. To date, no cases have been identified in Rhode Island. 

All Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through March 28, 2021 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; and Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD. 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 forms: 

BrandProduct NameSizeContainer TypeUPC Code
El Abuelito CheeseQueso Fresco Regular12 oz.Plastic Container673130100003
Queso Fresco Promoción10 oz.Plastic Container673130100078
Queso Fresco de Hoja12 oz.Plastic Container673130100065
Queso Fresco5 Lb.Vacuum Packed673130100058
Queso Fresco Guatemala12 oz.Plastic Container673130100027
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.Chirilagua Queso de Hacienda12 oz.Plastic Container738529005571
Queso Fresco Campestre con Hoja14 oz.Plastic Container812324031161
Queso Fresco Campestre Artesanal14 oz.Plastic Container738529002518
Queso Fresco con Hoja14 oz.Plastic Container738529004581
Queso Fresco Yorito12 oz.Plastic Container738529005564
Queso Fresco Olancho14 oz.Plastic Container812324031222
Cuajada Fresca Guatemalteca12 oz.Plastic Container738529001276
Cuajada Fresca Hondureña12 oz.Plastic Container738529001269
Cuajada Fresca Salvadoreña12 oz.Plastic Container738529001252
Rio LindoQueso Fresco Mexicano12 oz.Plastic Container718122088587
Queso Fresco Hondureño12 oz.Plastic Container718122088591
Queso Fresco Salvadoreño12 oz.Plastic Container718122088607

El Abuelito has stopped the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue to investigate what caused the problem. Samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco are being analyzed for the presence of the same Listeria monocytogenes that caused illness in people. These analyses are still ongoing. There is not enough evidence to determine if this outbreak is linked to El Abuelito Queso Fresco. 

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that 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 infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. 

Call your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms (high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea) of infection with Listeria after eating Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.   

Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact directly 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. 


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