Three El Abuelito Cheeses Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

A nationwide recall has been issued for three El Abuelito cheese products after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 10 people infected with Listeria monocytogenes after consuming these products.

Listeriosis is a dangerous infection usually caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk of contracting this infection. According to the CDC, Listeria is the third leading cause of death due to foodborne illness in the U.S. On average, an estimated 1,600 people are infected with it each year, resulting in approximately 260 fatalities.

Symptoms of listeriosis may include fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms. In patients who are not pregnant, convulsions and loss of balance may also occur. These symptoms may not be noticeable until one to four weeks after exposure and can last upwards of two months.

Listeria is typically found in soft cheeses.

Although Listeria can occur in a variety of foods ranging from deli meat to cantaloupe and even ice cream, it is most commonly found in soft cheeses, like some of those produced by El Abuelito. Cheeses made with raw milk and queso fresco are particularly susceptible to carrying the listeria bacteria; health experts recommend only consuming cheeses that were made with pasteurized milk. This is also where the advice for pregnant women to avoid soft cheeses comes from, as they are particularly susceptible to infection.

Three specific types of cheese were named in the recall.

El Abuelito’s Queso Fresco (fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (string cheese, oaxaca), and Requeson (ricotta) are all included in the recall. The good news is that healthy individuals who are not pregnant, immune-compromised, or otherwise at risk are less likely to contract an infection if they are exposed to the bacteria, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. These products were distributed in stores until February 16th of 2021 and have sell-by dates lasting through March 28th, 2021. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), advises anyone who has purchased these products to avoid consumption, sanitize any surfaces which might have come in contact with the cheese, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury from foodborne illness, you may be eligible to file a claim.

While most food poisoning cases are mild enough that a lawsuit isn’t warranted, listeriosis can be serious and in some cases fatal. If you or a loved one suffered a serious infection, you may be facing significant damages including medical bills and lost wages, not to mention the pain and discomfort of the infection itself. Whenever someone is injured by another party’s negligence, such as a food manufacturer, they may be eligible to file a personal injury to seek compensation for their damages. If you have suffered a serious illness or injury as a result of foodborne bacteria, reach out to a product liability attorney to discuss your options for recovery.