Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Queso de Mano PAISA recall: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The hazard: Listeria contamination

This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

What the notice says: Tama Corporation of Doral FL is recalling 24-ounce containers of "Queso de Mano PAISA" have contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that 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
April 25, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Paisa
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Delaware, Utah
UPC codes
838795000338
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Queso de Mano PAISA

What the company announced

Tama Corporation of Doral FL is recalling 24-ounce containers of "Queso de Mano PAISA" have contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection may cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Because of our commitment to the safety of our consumers, at Tama Corporation, we demand rigorous quality controls from our products suppliers. In this regard, we were informed by the co-packer of our QUESO DE MANO PAISA, that a batch of 18 cases distributed in Salt Lake City, Utah, was suspicious of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, and we immediately contacted the involved supermarket chain to halt its sale and account for all the product belonging to that vat.

Today, it has been confirmed that a sample from this batch is contaminated.

The recalled "Queso de Mano Paisa" was only sold in Utah, at Rancho Markets stores.

The product is packaged in a 24-ounce plastic container. Recalled lot number is: 2420104. BEST BY MAY 16, 2024

Lot code can be found on the clear plastic lid of the container. Product UPC: 838795000338.

The recall was initiated after one laboratory analysis came out suspicious of that lot sample being contaminated. After a second analysis, this was confirmed. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

We assure all our consumers, clients and distributors that we have taken all necessary actions, hand in hand with the product manufacturer, the FDA, and the USDA, to prevent the situation from happening again.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-592-1717 Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST or via email: [email protected] .

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 4 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.

  • 838795000338

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • MAY 16
  • 2024

Package size

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

  • 24 ounce

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

Paisa — This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

  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.

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.

Company contact: TAMA Corporation — Consumers: Tama Corporation, 305-592-1717, [email protected]

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 Paisa other food products recalled?

Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes Tama Corporation of Doral FL is recalling 24-ounce containers of "Queso de Mano PAISA" have contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that 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 838795000338; best-by date MAY 16 or 2024. 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?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Delaware, Utah.

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