Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Quesito El Establo Spanish Cheese recall: Due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity

Recall published 1+ years ago

Due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity, and other insanitary conditions during the manufacturing and storage process

Quesito El Establo Dairy — recalled dairyQuesito El Establo Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

What the notice says: Use or consumption of affected products may present risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons, persons with pre- existent pathology (e.g., patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipient, etc.) and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads easily from a contaminated product to hands, taps, cloths and other food in the same kitchen.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes salmonellosis as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure and last about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. Children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Seek care for diarrhoea with a high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

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
August 12, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Quesito El Establo
Product type
Dairy
Units affected
1 lb.
Distribution
Massachusetts
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano)

What the company announced

Quesito El Establo of Salem, NH is recalling all Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) manufactured in their facility, due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity, and other insanitary conditions during the manufacturing and storage process.

There are numerous hazards associated with rodents including the potential presence of Salmonella . Use or consumption of affected products may present risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons, persons with pre- existent pathology (e.g., patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipient, etc.) and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) was distributed in Massachusetts in Hispanic/Latino retail stores. All products with stamped with code AUG 22 2025 or earlier are included in the recall.

The recalled product is packaged wrapped in plastic and placed in Ziploc bags. Each unit is approximately 1 lb. and has a blue sticker featuring a cow in the center with “Quesito Colombiano” written in yellow below it. At the top of the label the product is indicated to be Spanish Cheese with Quesito El Establo listed as the manufacturer. Expiration dates are stamped on the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall is the result of an FDA inspection where insanitary conditions were observed. Quesito el Establo has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product are urged not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 617-842.0513 (Monday through Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm EST).

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.

How this recall developed

The company posted 2 announcements about this recall on fda.gov. They are kept together on this page: the products, codes and places listed above are combined from all of them, and the announcement text comes from the most recent English version.

  1. August 12, 2025 — First announcement. Quesito El Establo Recalls Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) Because of Possible Health Risk Read it on fda.gov
  2. August 12, 2025 — Spanish-language version. Quesito El Establo Retira Del Mercado Queso (Quesito Colombiano) Debido a Posible Riesgo Para La Salud Read it on fda.gov

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

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

  • 1 lb

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 Salmonella

Quesito El Establo — Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

  1. Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.
  2. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.
  3. If you repackaged or froze it, check the freezer too. Salmonella is not killed by freezing.
  4. Watch everyone who ate it for about a week, and call a doctor sooner for a child under five or an adult over 65.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

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

Company contact: Quesito El Establo — Consumers: 617-842-0513

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 Quesito El Establo dairy recalled?

Due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity, and other insanitary conditions during the manufacturing and storage process Use or consumption of affected products may present risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons, persons with pre- existent pathology (e.g., patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipient, etc.) and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.

Can I get my money back?

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

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Massachusetts.

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