“Victims who have symptoms such as fever or a stiff neck should consult a physician, and in cases of suspected Listeriosis, a physician may call for a blood or spinal fluid test.”
El Abuelito Cheese Inc. Listeria Lawyer Update: Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses Linked to Listeria Outbreak.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an update on the most recent Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced on February 12, 2021. The listeria outbreak was reported to be linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, sold by the company El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. The El Abuelito Company issued a voluntary recall on multiple fresh and soft cheese products distributed in February 2021 a few days after the outbreak was announced. As of the first announcement of the outbreak a total of seven listeria cases have been linked to the outbreak strain.
The listeria outbreak linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheese products was linked to the El Abuelito-brand of cheese products by the Connecticut Department of Public Health after samples of the cheese were collected and tested. According to the FDA report on the outbreak, the Connecticut State Laboratory was able to match the outbreak strain to the El Abuelito-brand cheese products on February 19, 2021, through a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis. After being informed of the contamination the company issued a voluntary recall on all their Queso Fresco products with “sell by” dates through March 28, 2021.
The recall issued by El Abuelito Inc. affected two of their brands of fresh and soft cheese, the El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo brand. Both brands were distributed to select retail stores in CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and VA. Along with the recall the El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. has announced that they have ceased production and distribution of all products. The FDA has also expanded its warning to all El Abuelito brand cheeses until more information is known, this includes fresh and soft cheese, Oaxaca cheese, Cotija cheese, and crema. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers have also been advised to avoid eating, selling, or serving any El Abuelito brand cheeses.
Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, those more prone to being diagnosed with listeria are young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and others with weakened immune systems. People who contract listeria normally experience symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. In some severe cases, listeria infection can spread to the nervous system and a person may experience headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions.
Ron Simon, a National Listeria Lawyer, stated:
“Victims who have symptoms such as fever or a stiff neck, if they have been exposed to a possible source of Listeria, should immediately consult a physician. Physicians have options in cases of suspected Listeriosis, and can do a blood or spinal fluid culture. Listeria is especially dangerous in pregnant women and the elderly.”
