Company Expands Cheese Recall After Listeria Outbreak

SILVER SPRING, Md.—An outbreak of Listeria causing one death and seven hospitalizations has led to an expanded recall of all Roos Foods cheese products, according to a release by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall now includes all product sizes and containers of Santa Rosa de Lima Queso Duro Blando (hard cheese), and Mexicana Queso Cojito Molido.

Roos Foods issued press releases for the original recall on February 23 and 25. The update clarifies that all sizes and containers of the cheese products previously identified are being recalled (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 of Delaware is voluntarily recalling the above products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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 infection can cause miscarriages and still births among pregnant women.

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.

Products were distributed through retail stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington D.C. The company said customers should destroy all lots of the above listed brand-named products.