Peregrina Cheese Recalled, Listeria Contamination Feared

Several brands of soft cheese made by the Peregrina Cheese Corporation since March 17, 2009 are being recalled because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious, even deadly food poisoning in consumers.

Peregrina, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., agreed last month to recall the foods, but the Food and Drug Administration formally announced the products covered by the recall today. There have so far been no reports of illness or death associated with contaminated Pergrina cheese, the FDA said.

The recalled cheese products were distributed to retail stores in New York and Pennsylvania, according to the FDA.

Several Brands Recalled

The following Peregrina Cheese products, all produced since March 17, 2009, have been recalled:

• Peregrina Cheese brand QUESO FRESCO Fresh Cheese, 14 Oz. (397 g) foil-wrapped package, Plant # 36-8431, UPC 8 17424 00024 6, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Chipilo brand MEXICAN CHEESE QUESO FRESCO – Fresh Cheese, NET WT. 15 oz. (425g), Plant #36-8431, UPC 8 17424 00028 4, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Peregrina Cheese brand QUESO HEBRA Queso Oaxaca, NET WT. 15 Oz. (425g), Plant #36-8431, UPC 8 17424 00026 0, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Peregrina Cheese brand QUESO COTIJA MOLIDO, NET WT. 15 OZ. plastic bags, Plant # 36-1388, UPC 8 17424 00027 7, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Peregrina Cheese brand Flan, NET WT 8 oz., Plant # 36-8431, UPC 8 17424 00026 0, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Peregrina Cheese brand GELATIN, NET WT. 10 OZ., Plant # 36-8431, UPC 8 17424 00031 4, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

• Peregrina Cheese brand CREMA MEXICANA Mexican Cream, Weight 16 Oz., Plant # 55-8991, UPC 8 17424 00030 7, all lot codes on the market produced since March 17, 2009

Listeria food poisoning can result in serious and fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Most healthy people who are infected with the bacteria develop only short-term symptoms, including fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, Listeria infection can result in miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products are urged not to consume them and to discard them immediately.

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