Quesos La Ricura Inc. Recalls Cotija Cheese Due to the Presence of Shiga toxin producing E. coli
On January 24, 2020, Quesos La Ricura, a cheese company in Hicksville, New York, recalled its 12 oz. packages of Cotija Cheese (Queso Cotija) due to its possible contamination with E. coli bacteria.
The contamination was first discovered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services when a routine sampling of a local retail store was conducted. The sample returned from the lab as positive for Shiga toxin producing E. coli bacteria(STEC). This type of bacteria is also commonly referred to as Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC).
These share a certain pathotype of E. coli which produce harmful toxins that cause the unpleasant symptoms of food poisoning such as mild to severe stomach cramps and nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. In addition, Shiga toxin producing E. coli puts the infected person at risk to develop hemolytic uretic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure. Those with weakened immune systems such as children, the elderly, or expectant are most at risk for developing complications such as HUS.
The concerned Cotija Cheese products were distributed to five states, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida. The recalled products are packaged in plastic wrapped yellow Styrofoam containers. The containers are labeled “Quesos La Ricura Queso Cotija, Cotija Cheese aged over 60 days” and bear the UPC number of: 7 69087 00933 6 and the “Sell By” date May 20, 2020-3/ May 20, 2020-4.
Fortunately, there have been no reported illnesses due to the contamination of this product thus far. The FDA, as well as Quesos La Ricura, ask that anyone currently in possession of this product return it to its original place of purchase for a full refund. For further information on this and other cases, visit the FDA’s website.
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article239655638.html
