Attention Washington State Residents: Del Bueno of Grandview, WA is recalling 16oz. size packages of Queso Fresco Casero Fresh Cheese because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness in young children, the elderly, and those with otherwise compromised immune systems. The cheese affected by this recall was sold in retail markets throughout Washington state, as well as at the Pasco, WA flea market. The Food Poisoning Lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP are currently investigating potential lawsuits nationwide on behalf of individuals diagnosed with listeria food poisoning after consuming Del Bueno Queso Fresco Casero Cheese included in this recall.
Del Bueno Cheese Recall Update 4/10/12: The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has slapped Washington-based cheese producer Del Bueno with a permanent injunction, meaning that the company can no longer make any cheese products until it can prove its food is safe. The FDA’s action followed a series of recalls and warning letters to Del Bueno concerning its cheese products.
Free Del Bueno Queso Fresco Casero Cheese Recall Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been severely sickened after eating Del Bueno Queso Fresco Casero Cheese included in this recall, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.
What’s the problem?
September 16, 2011 - The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that Del Bueno is currently recalling all 16oz. size packages of Queso Fresco Casero Fresh Cheese with a date stamp of Sept 14, 2011 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (1). The product in question is packaged in clear round plastic packages, and is stamped on the back with a date code of ‘Sep 14 2011.’
This recall was initiated as the result of routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which positively identified that the cheese was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Del Bueno is working in coordination with the FDA to enforce the recall by notifying their customers and requesting that they stop sales of the cheese. Consumers who may have purchased the product in question are urged to discard it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Listeria Food Poisoning (Listeriosis)
According to the Mayo Clinic, listeriosis is a rare but serious foodborne illness caused by eating foods contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria (2). Infection can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. High risk foods include:
- ready-to-eat seafood (i.e. smoked fish, mussels)
- raw seafood (i.e. sushi, sashimi)
- premixed raw vegetables (i.e. coleslaw)
- precooked meats (i.e. pate, deli meat, cooked chicken)
- unpasteurized milk
- soft-serve ice creams
- soft cheeses (i.e. brie, camembert, ricotta)
Most cases of listeriosis in otherwise healthy people are so mild that they may go unnoticed. However, in certain cases, a listeria infection can lead to extremely serious complications including generalized blood infections (septicemia) and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis). Additionally, listeriosis can have a disastrous effect on an unborn baby. If it is contracted early on in pregnancy, listeriosis may lead to miscarriage. If it occurs later in pregnancy, a listeria infection may lead to still birth, premature birth or a fatal infection in the baby after birth. Symptoms of the illness include (but are not limited to):
- fever
- muscle aches
- nausea
- diarrhea
- headache
- stiff neck
- confusion
- loss of balance
- convulsions
Listeriosis is a relatively rare disease as far as foodborne illnesses go, but the consequences of infection are extremely serious. In the United States, approximately 1,850 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, an estimated 425 die. The majority of these are elderly patients or individuals with otherwise compromised immune systems. Most outbreaks of listeriosis are sporadic and the sources are usually unknown, however, contaminated food is most often considered to be the source of infection.
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Do You Have a Del Bueno Queso Fresco Casero Cheese Recall Lawsuit?
The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial food poisoning lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Del Bueno Queso Fresco Casero Cheese Recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new listeria food poisoning cases in all 50 states.