Three types of cheeses have recently been recalled by Queseria Bendita, a Yakima, Washington company due to possible Listeria food poisoning infection. Queso Fresco, Panela and Requeson have been recalled because of the potentially dangerous Listeria monocytogenes organism that can be serious or even fatal in some individuals.
These cheeses were distributed in Oregon and Washington, and are sold at Queseria Bendita’s retail stores, which is mostly a Hispanic market. The products in question are the Queso Fresco packaged in one and three pound vacuum packed wheels, Panela one and three pound vacuum packed, and Requeson 8 ounce and one pound cheese packed in clear plastic tubs. Each variety has a date code up to and including “Apr 30 2010″ and a green label containing the Queseria Bendita name and type of cheese.
While there are mild illnesses that may be related to the cheese in Oregon and Washington, five people are known to have been made ill and hospitalized after consuming these cheese products. The illnesses are what prompted the public health investigation, which led to the products being sampled and tested. These tests concluded that the three products were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Production and distribution of the products has been stopped while the source of the contamination is being investigated by the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture and the U.S. FDA.
Earlier in the month cheese was recalled by the Estrella Family Creamery in Montesano, Washington. What is interesting about these two recalls is that not all of the cheeses that were recalled were produced with unpasteurized milk, which means that the environment in which the products were being made is somehow contaminated.
Two of the five who became ill after eating the Queserita Bendita cheeses were pregnant women who became ill and gave birth prematurely because of fetal distress. The FDA strongly cautions pregnant women against consuming soft cheeses made from raw milk products due to the possibility of serious risks to their babies.
This being said, the cheese in question in the Queseria Bendita’s recall are made with pasteurized products. Essentially, this means that the Listeria bacteria was present in the processing facility, and may have been brought in either by an infected worker or a contaminated ingredient introduced into the environment.
Those who contract Listeria infection after eating tainted foods should contact a reputable New York food poisoning attorney, who can advise you of possible monetary compensation you may be entitled to.
