Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo Queso Fresco recall: Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 5+ years ago

Listeria monocytogenes

El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo Other food products — recalled other food productsEl Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 3)El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

Listeria is the reason this product was pulled, and it is the one food hazard where "it is still in date and it smells fine" tells you nothing at all.

What the notice says: El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese) products, because it has 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.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
February 19, 2021
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia
UPC codes
673130100003, 738529005571, 718122088587

Products covered by this recall

Queso Fresco

What the company announced

Spanish version of firm press

El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese) products, because it has 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 monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

All Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through 032821, have been recalled. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; and Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD. The products were distributed through Feb 16, 2021 and were available in supermarkets, wholesale, and retails stores.

The following products being recalled were produced at Plant #34-12179 in the following forms

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

As of February 11, 2021, the CDC reports seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states.

El Abuelito has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and El Abuelito continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

As the FDA stated, about 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.

Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact directly El Abuelito Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST at (973) 345-3503.

Retail Distribution for El Abuelito Brand Queso Fresco Products

Queso Fresco Recall FDA

FDA has reason to believe that the following retail locations received El Abuelito Brand Queso Fresco Products that were included in the recall by El Abuelito. The Queso Fresco may have been cut or repacked from its original packaging. This list may not include all retail establishments that have received the recalled product or may include retail establishments that did not actually receive the recalled product. Therefore, it is important that you use the product-specific identification information, available here , in addition to this list of retail stores, when you check the food you have to see if it has been recalled.

RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS – EL ABUELITO BRAND

CORE’s outbreak

Expanded Press Release

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 10 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 673130100003
  • 738529005571
  • 718122088587

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • A027

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 032821
  • 02/26/2021

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 12 oz
  • 10 oz
  • 5 Lb
  • 14 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo — Listeria is the reason this product was pulled, and it is the one food hazard where "it is still in date and it smells fine" tells you nothing at all.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. Throw it out in a sealed bag, or return it to the store. Either is accepted; what matters is that nobody else eats it.
  3. Wash and then sanitise anything the food touched: the fridge shelf and drawer, chopping boards, knives, counters and your hands. Listeria colonises cold surfaces and can survive there after the food is gone.
  4. If anyone in the household is pregnant, over 65 or immunocompromised, call a clinician for advice even if nobody feels ill. That conversation is quick and it is the whole point of a Listeria recall.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: El Abuelito Cheese — Consumers: Juanita Aguilar, (973) 345-3503

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo other food products recalled?

Listeria monocytogenes El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, NJ is recalling all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese) products, because it has 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.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 673130100003, 738529005571, 718122088587; lot code A027; best-by date 032821 or 02/26/2021. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the stated Queso Fresco products are urged not to consume and to return product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia.

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