Del Bueno Recalls Cheeses for Being Contaminated by Listeria Monocytogenes

Del Bueno of Grandview, WA, has issued a recall of all size packages of Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese, Queso Panela Fresh Cheese, Requeson Mexican Style Ricotta Cheese, and Queso Enchilado Dry Cheese as these have been detected to have the potential to be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and at times fatal infections among young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weak immune systems.  

However, no illness has been reported till date.

PRODUCTS RECALLED

The recall resulted from the environmental samples and finished product samples by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and also from the finished product samples by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).  Tests revealed that the cheeses manufactured by Del Bruno are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and the following products being recalled:
 

Del Bueno has notified customers that the products have been recalled from retail stores and urged consumers who have already purchased the cheeses to return these to the place of purchase for a complete refund.  All queries may be addressed to Del Bueno at 425-503-3823 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Pacific Time.

FDA’S RECALL RULES

It must be mentioned here that all recalls by manufacturers are categorised by FDA as Class I, Class II or Class III recall based on level of health hazard involved. While in some cases, the manufacturing company itself discovers the snag the product and recalls it from the market, in others, FDA informs the company concerned — as in case of Del Bueno — of its findings on a product and suggests a recall with which the company usually complies. If the company does not recall, the FDA is authorised to seek legal action under the provisions of the FD&C Act.

RELATED RECALLS

In a similar case in November, Whole Foods Market announced that one of its suppliers, Bravo Farms of Traver, California, has voluntarily recalled its cheeses Sage Cheddar, Silver Mountain Cheddar, Chipotle Cheddar, Premium Block Cheddar, Premium White Chunk Cheddar, Chipotle Chunk Cheddar, and White Black Wax Cheddar as these have the possibility of being contaminated by Listeria and E. coli contamination at the plant.

In yet another instance, New Braunfels Smokehouse in Texas has voluntarily recalled 2,609 pounds of fully cooked, ready-to-eat smoked turkey breast products also due to the possibility of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium Listeriosis, a disease which is uncommon but potentially fatal. Although healthy people seldom contracts Listeriosis, pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems may be affected. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, it can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea, and may weaken the immune system.