After Recall
El Abuelito Stops Making Cheese
According to Food Poisoning blog, after the Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks from their Queso Fresco in February, El Abuelito has stopped making their fresh cheeses. The outbreak led to 13 people being ill with two miscarriages and one premature birth. Miscarriage is an unfortunate symptom of Listeria monocytogenes foodborne illness. This is why fresh cheese, deli meats and other food high risk for carrying Listeria monocytogenes should be avoided during pregnancy.
A year ago the FDA found that El Abuelito had many violations including not having a hazard analysis and a written food safety plan for each type of food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at their facility. Additionally they found the presence of Listeria spp., which. indicates that the conditions in the facility are conducive for pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes to be present. A few months after a warning letter was sent, the first person affected by this outbreak, fell ill.
Make sure you avoid making your consumers ill. Do you have a written food safety plan including hazard analysis for each of your products? Book a free food safety strategy call today. Food Safety Mid Atlantic can help you and support you through developing and growing your food safety program.