Queso Fresco Cheese Recalled in New York

Azteca Linda Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, is expanding an August recall of QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE (exp. SEP 11 2010) to include expiration date SEP 12 2010, the FDA announced today.

In addition, the firm is recalling Queso El Azteca brand REQUESON (RICOTTA CHEESE) with expiration date SEP 19 2010 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism 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 stillbirths among pregnant women.

QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) with expiration date SEP 12 2010 was sold to retail stores in the New York City area. QUESO REQUESON (RICOTTA CHEESE) with expiration date SEP 19 2010 was sold to retail stores in the New York City area and to Providence, Rhode Island.

QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) is packaged in a hard plastic (clam shell) container labeled with the brand name Queso El Azteca, NET WT. 14 OZ. (396g), UPC 0 23986 92692 8, and expiration date SEP 12 2010.

REQUESON (RICOTTA CHEESE) is packaged in a hard plastic (clam shell) container labeled with the brand name Queso El Azteca, NET WT. 14 OZ. (396g), no UPC coding, and with expiration date SEP 19 2010.??No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of sampling by the Rhode Island Department of Health which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) with expiration date SEP 12 2010, and REQUESON (RICOTTA CHEESE) with expiration date SEP 19 2010. The company has temporarily stopped production.

Consumers who have purchased the above listed expiration dates of QUESO FRESCO (FRESH WHITE CHEESE) and/or REQUESON (RICOTTA CHEESE) are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Azteca Linda Corp. at 718-418-7459, Monday Friday, 9 am 4 pm EDT.

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