Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes – Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses (February 2021)

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The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco cheeses made by El Abuelito Cheese, Inc.

As part of this outbreak investigation, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected product samples of El Abuelito-brand Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses from a store where a sick person bought cheeses. On 2/19/2021, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis conducted by the Connecticut State Laboratory determined that the Listeria monocytogenes found in the samples is a match to the outbreak strain. On 2/19/2021, El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. of Paterson, NJ recalled all Queso Fresco products with “sell by” dates through 03/28/21. Products include El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo brand queso frescos, distributed to CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and VA. A full list of recalled products is included below. At this time, El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. has ceased production and distribution of all products.

Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the severity of Listeria infection, the FDA is expanding its warning to include all El Abuelito brand cheeses until more information is known. According to the firm’s website, this includes queso fresco, Oaxaca cheese, cotija cheese, and crema. The FDA is working with the firm to recall any additional products that could be contaminated and has initiated an on-site inspection of the facility. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve any El Abuelito brand cheeses, including, but not limited to, the recalled El Abuelito cheeses listed below. Additionally they should not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Rio Grande and Rio Lindo brand queso fresco cheeses.   

FDA recommends that anyone who purchased or received any El Abuelito brand cheeses or recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

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Recall Information

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve any El Abuelito brand cheeses, including, but not limited to, the recalled El Abuelito cheeses listed below. Additionally they should not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Rio Grande and Rio Lindo brand queso fresco cheeses.   

On 2/19/2021, El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ recalled all Queso Fresco products within expiration. Products include:

Brand	Product Name	Size	Container Type	UPC Code
El Abuelito Cheese	Queso Fresco Regular	12 oz.	Plastic Container	673130100003
El Abuelito Cheese	Queso Fresco Promoción	10 oz.	Plastic Container	673130100078
El Abuelito Cheese	Queso Fresco de Hoja	12 oz.	Plastic Container	673130100065
El Abuelito Cheese	Queso Fresco	5 Lb.	Vaccuum Packed	673130100058
El Abuelito Cheese	Queso Fresco Guatemala	12 oz.	Plastic Container	673130100027
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Chirilagua Queso de Hacienda	12 oz.	Plastic Container	738529005571
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Queso Fresco Campestre con Hoja	14 oz.	Plastic Container	812324031161
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Queso Fresco Campestre Artesanal	14 oz.	Plastic Container	738529002518
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Queso Fresco con Hoja	14 oz.	Plastic Container	738529004581
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Queso Fresco Yorito	12 oz.	Plastic Container	738529005564
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Queso Fresco Olancho	14 oz.	Plastic Container	812324031222
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Cuajada Fresca Guatemalteca	12 oz.	Plastic Container	738529001276
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Cuajada Fresca Hondureña	12 oz.	Plastic Container	738529001269
Rio Grande Food Products, Inc.	Cuajada Fresca Salvadoreña	12 oz.	Plastic Container	738529001252
Rio Lindo	Queso Fresco Mexicano	12 oz.	Plastic Container	718122088587
Rio Lindo	Queso Fresco Hondureño	12 oz.	Plastic Container	718122088591
Rio Lindo	Queso Fresco Salvadoreño	12 oz.	Plastic Container	718122088607

Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled El Abuelito Queso Fresco

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Case Count Map Provided by CDC

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Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 10
Hospitalizations: 9
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Date: 2/9/2021
States with Cases: MD (4), CT (1), NY (4), and VA (1)
Product Distribution*: CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA
*States with confirmed distribution; product could have been distributed further

Useful Links

• Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
• Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
• Who to Contact
• What is Listeria?
• CDC's Outbreak Page

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Previous Updates

February 19, 2021

The FDA, along with the CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco cheeses made by El Abuelito Cheese, Inc.

As part of this outbreak investigation, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected product samples of El Abuelito-brand Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses from a store where a sick person bought cheeses. Sample analysis showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco sold in 10 oz packages, marked as Lot A027 with an expiration date of 02/26/2021. On 2/19/2021, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis conducted by the Connecticut State Laboratory determined that the Listeria monocytogenes found in the samples is a match to the outbreak strain.

On 2/19/2021, El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. of Paterson, NJ recalled all Queso Fresco products with “sell by” dates through 03/28/21. Products include El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo brand queso frescos, distributed to CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and VA. A full list of recalled products is included below. At this time, El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. has ceased production and distribution of all products.

February 17, 2021

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.

FDA has initiated an investigation and is collecting information to try to determine the source of the outbreak. Although the investigation is ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses are the leading hypotheses for the cause of the illnesses. No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed as the source of illness. CDC reported that seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Six of the seven ill people are Hispanic. Of the four people interviewed, three reported eating at least one type of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, and each of the three reported eating queso fresco.

As part of this outbreak investigation, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected product samples of El Abuelito-brand Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses from a store where a sick person bought cheeses. Sample analysis showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in samples of El Abuelito Queso Fresco sold in 10 oz packages, marked as Lot A027 with an expiration date of 02/26/2021. Samples are currently undergoing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis to determine if the Listeria monocytogenes found in these samples is a match to the outbreak strain. At this time, there is not enough evidence to determine if this outbreak is linked to El Abuelito Queso Fresco.

FDA and state partners are working with the firm to recall the affected lot and to determine if additional products should be recalled. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

February 12, 2021

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections potentially linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.

FDA has initiated an investigation and is collecting information to try to determine the source of the outbreak. Although the investigation is ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses are the leading hypotheses for the cause of the illnesses. No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed as the source of illness. CDC reported that seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Six of the seven ill people are Hispanic. Of the four people interviewed, three reported eating at least one type of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, and all three reported eating queso fresco.

FDA is in the beginning stages of this investigation, and there may be additional products impacted by this outbreak. As this outbreak investigation continues, the FDA will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

Who to Contact

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

• Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
• Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
• Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.

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