Dairy company issues urgent recall for all cheese products over deadly bacteria | World | News

All cheeses from a major dairy brand are facing a mass recall after their products were linked to a dangerous Listeria outbreak.

So far, nine people have fallen ill, eight have been hospitalized, and one has died.

US cheesemaker Clover Hill Dairy recalled all of its Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese in early June because it “has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly persons, or others with compromised immune systems.”

Symptoms usually begin within two weeks after consuming contaminated food, but Listeria symptoms can begin as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks.

Although symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea may only be short-lived in healthy people, Listeria infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women. For pregnant women, symptoms may include fever, muscle aches and fatigue. Even if the woman’s illness is mild, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.

Other people may complain of fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, as well as headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Consumers should note that some Clover Hill Dairy products may be sold under other brand names, including KESSO, QUESOS LA RICURA, IZALCO, DE MI PUEBLO and RIO LINDO.

The recall involves all Clover Hill Dairy cheeses currently on the market, including cheddar, colby, monterey jack, pepper jack, ricotta, smoked cheeses and soft cheese varieties.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), anyone with cheese in their home is urged to immediately throw away all Clover Hill Dairy products or return them to the retailer from which they were purchased.

Once discarded, it is recommended that you clean your entire refrigerator and completely sanitize it according to the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) below.

Here is the full list of recalled cheeses:

-Cuajada
– Soft Cuajada
– Soft Cuajada in Brine
– Soft Cuajada Crumbs
– Ricotta/Requeson

– Delicious Kashar
– White Cheddar
– White Colby
-Monterey Jack
– Marble Jack
– Fresh Cheddar Cheese
– Snack Pack – Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack and Yummy Cheddar)
– 3 in 1 Pack – Assorted (White Colby, Marble Jack and Yummy Cheddar)

– Delicious Kashar
– White Cheddar
– White Colby
– Snack Pack Sharp Stix

Smoked Cheddar Cheese Varieties

– Horseradish
-Old Bay Cheddar

– Jalapeno cheddar cheese
– Pepper Jack
– Sizzlin’ Colby (with Habanero Peppers)
– Snack Pack – Mixed Pepper Stix (Jalapeno Cheddar and Pepper Jack)
– 3-in-1 Pack – Assorted (Jalapeno Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Sizzlin Colby)

Smoked Pepper Cheese Varieties

CDC guide to cleaning your refrigerator

Steps to take:

Throw away recalled food and any other food stored in or touched by it

Place the recalled food in a sealed bag and throw it away. If food was stored in a reusable container, wash it with hot, soapy water before reusing.

Empty the remaining items from your refrigerator and place them on a counter or table while you clean. Remove shelves, drawers and other removable parts. Do not leave food out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.

Hand wash shelves, drawers, and other removable parts in hot soapy water. Do not immerse cold glass shelves or drawers in hot water because the glass may crack. Let them come to room temperature first. Dry with a clean towel.

Clean the inside of the refrigerator

Wipe the inside of the empty refrigerator with hot soapy water; then wipe with clean water to rinse off the soap. Wipe the inside of the doors and non-removable drawers. Dry with a clean towel.

Disinfect the inside of the refrigerator

After cleaning the refrigerator with hot soapy water, use a solution of one tablespoon of liquid bleach per gallon of water to sanitize your refrigerator.

Return shelves, drawers and food

Return the shelves, drawers, and other removable parts to the refrigerator along with the items you removed.

Wash hands, areas, and utensils that touched the recalled foods

After you finish cleaning, wash your hands with soap and water. Use hot, soapy water to wipe down kitchen counters where food, drinks, refrigerator parts and cleaning supplies are stored. Wash the towels you used to clean and dry the refrigerator before using them again.