FDA Investigates presence of Listeria in some Hispanic-style Cheeses
On this page:
- What is the Problem and What is Being Done?
- What are the Symptoms of Listeriosis?
- Who is at Risk?
- What is Being Recalled?
- What Do Consumers Need To Do?
- What Do Retailers Need To Do?
- Who Should be Contacted?
The FDA is warning consumers not to eat any dairy products recently recalled by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware. Roos Foods has voluntarily recalled all lots, sizes and types of cheese distributed under the Amigo, Anita, Mexicana, and Santa Rose de Lima brands. Roos Foods is also recalling all product sizes and containers of Santa Rosa de Lima Crema Salvadorena Cultured Sour Cream, Santa Rosa de Lima Mantequilla de Bolsa Tradicion Centroamericana, Crema Pura Mexicana Cultured Sour Cream, La Chapina Crema Guatemalteca Guatemalan Style Cream, and Amigo Brand Crema Centroamericana Cultured Sour Cream.
The recalled products were distributed through retail stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis and the presence of Listeria in Hispanic-style cheese products made by Roos Foods and sold in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
On February 21, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) reported 
thatListeria monocytogenes had been found in cheese products manufactured by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware. This followed an earlier warning VDACS issued on February 15 that the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a sample of Cuajada en Terron (Fresh Cheese Curd) manufactured by Roos Foods and collected by VDACS food safety inspectors at Mega Mart, a retail store in Manassas, Virginia. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria linked to a rare and serious illness, listeriosis.
thatListeria monocytogenes had been found in cheese products manufactured by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware. This followed an earlier warning VDACS issued on February 15 that the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a sample of Cuajada en Terron (Fresh Cheese Curd) manufactured by Roos Foods and collected by VDACS food safety inspectors at Mega Mart, a retail store in Manassas, Virginia. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria linked to a rare and serious illness, listeriosis. The strain of Listeria monocytogenes identified was the same strain of the bacteria that has caused 8 cases of listeriosis in two states. The CDC reports that a total of 8 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from two states. The number of ill people identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Maryland (7).
Among persons for whom information is available, dates that illness was diagnosed range from August 1, 2013 to November 27, 2013. Seven of the eight ill persons were hospitalized. Five of the illnesses were related to a pregnancy; two of these were diagnosed in two mother–newborn pairs, and one in only the newborn. The three other illnesses occurred among adults. One death was reported in California. All ill persons were reported to be of Hispanic ethnicity. According to the CDC, the investigation into the source of these illnesses is ongoing.
On February 19, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDHMH) warned consumers thatListeria had likely been found in cheese products manufactured by Roos Foods, of Kenton, Delaware. The MDHMH reported that Roos Foods manufactures cheeses under the Santa Rosa de Lima, Amigo, Mexicana, Suyapa, La Chapina, and La Purisima Crema Nica brand, and advised consumers not to eat any cheese products made by Roos Foods, or foods that have been made with these cheeses. MDHMH is conducting further testing to confirm the presence of Listeria in these cheese products and to determine whether or not it is Listeria monocytogenes. The District of Columbia issued a similar warning to consumers on February 20.
thatListeria had likely been found in cheese products manufactured by Roos Foods, of Kenton, Delaware. The MDHMH reported that Roos Foods manufactures cheeses under the Santa Rosa de Lima, Amigo, Mexicana, Suyapa, La Chapina, and La Purisima Crema Nica brand, and advised consumers not to eat any cheese products made by Roos Foods, or foods that have been made with these cheeses. MDHMH is conducting further testing to confirm the presence of Listeria in these cheese products and to determine whether or not it is Listeria monocytogenes. The District of Columbia issued a similar warning to consumers on February 20.What are the Symptoms of Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a rare and serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Persons in a higher-risk category, including pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly, who experience fever after eating any of the Roos Foods cheeses listed above should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the potentially contaminated cheese.
Listeriosis is a rare and serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Persons in a higher-risk category, including pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly, who experience fever after eating any of the Roos Foods cheeses listed above should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the potentially contaminated cheese.
Who is at Risk?
Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.
Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.
What is being recalled?
On March 1, 2014, Roos Foods expanded and clarified the description of products in its recall, which wasinitiated on February 23 and expanded on February 25. The recall includes all lots and all product sizes and containers of Santa Rosa de Lima Queso Duro Blando (hard cheese), and Mexicana Queso Cojito Molido. The recall also includes all lots and all sizes and containers of the Amigo, Anita, Mexicana, and Santa Rose de Lima brands of: Cuajada En Terron, Cuajada/Cuajadita Cacer, Cuajada Fresca, Queso Fresco Round, and Queso Duro Viejo (hard cheeses), Requeson, Queso de Huerta and Quesco Fresco. These cheeses were packaged in various sized clear plastic wrapped Styrofoam trays, clear plastic wrapped, clear plastic vacuum package, and clear rigid plastic containers.
Roos Foods is also recalling all product sizes and containers of Santa Rosa de Lima Crema Salvadorena Cultured Sour Cream, Santa Rosa de Lima Mantequilla de Bolsa Tradicion Centroamericana, Crema Pura Mexicana Cultured Sour Cream, La Chapina Crema Guatemalteca Guatemalan Style Cream, and Amigo Brand Crema Centroamericana Cultured Sour Cream. These sour creams were packaged in various sized white plastic tubs, clear plastic bags, clear plastic pouches, and clear plastic jars.
Roos Foods is also recalling all product sizes and containers of Santa Rosa de Lima Crema Salvadorena Cultured Sour Cream, Santa Rosa de Lima Mantequilla de Bolsa Tradicion Centroamericana, Crema Pura Mexicana Cultured Sour Cream, La Chapina Crema Guatemalteca Guatemalan Style Cream, and Amigo Brand Crema Centroamericana Cultured Sour Cream. These sour creams were packaged in various sized white plastic tubs, clear plastic bags, clear plastic pouches, and clear plastic jars.
The recalled products were distributed through retail stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products and should check their homes for these cheeses and discard them.
Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products and should check their homes for these cheeses and discard them.
Recommendations for preventing listeriosis are available at the CDC Listeria website:http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention.html.
Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigerator temperatures, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). The longer ready-to-eat refrigerated foods are stored in the refrigerator, the more opportunity Listeriahas to grow.
It is very important that consumers thoroughly clean their refrigerators and other food preparation surfaces and cheese cutting utensils that may have come in contact with the potentially contaminated cheese. Consumers should follow these simple steps:
- Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
- Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
- Wipe up spills in the refrigerator immediately and clean the refrigerator regularly.
- Always wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitization process.
What Do Retailers and Restaurants Need To Do?
Do not sell or serve the products identified above. If you do not know the source of your cheese, check with your supplier.
Do not sell or serve the products identified above. If you do not know the source of your cheese, check with your supplier.
- Dispose of the cheese products listed above.
- Wash and sanitize cheese display cases and refrigerators where potentially contaminated cheese was stored.
- Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to cut, serve, or store potentially contaminated cheese.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have cut and packaged any potentially contaminated cheese need to be concerned about cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products. Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in cutting may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.
Listeria monocytogenes can grow in cut cheese at room and refrigerator temperatures. Listeria can also spread to other cheeses cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area. For that reason, retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators may wish to consider whether other cheeses available for sale could have been cross-contaminated from the potentially contaminated cheese and should be discarded.
Because Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures in foods like cheeses, the FDA recommends and many state codes require that cheeses be discarded within 7 days of the date that they are opened in a retail establishment.
See the FDA Bulletin, Advice to Food Establishments that Sell or Repackage Cheese Products, for additional information.
Who Should be Contacted?
Customers with questions may contact Virginia Mejia at 302-653-0600, Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Customers with questions may contact Virginia Mejia at 302-653-0600, Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The FDA also encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult the fda.gov website: www.fda.gov.
The information in this release reflects the FDA’s best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update this page as more information becomes available.
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