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Consumer Alert: Listeria Warning for Queso Fresco, Fresh Cheese

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Jessica Chittenden 
          (518) 457-3136

For Immediate Release

Brooklyn, NY - April 25, 2003 -- State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers today warned consumers not to eat "Peregrina Cheese, Queso Fresco, Fresh Cheese," made by Peregrina Cheese Corp., because certain packages of this product tested positive for Listeria contamination.

"Peregrina Cheese, Queso Fresco, Fresh Cheese" is sold in 14-ounce plastic containers, which display a plant number of 36-8431 and a grocery sticker identifying the code "1049." The consumer warning affects all packages with this code. The product is manufactured by Peregrina Cheese Corp., 342 Ten Eyck St., Brooklyn, New York 11206. The product was distributed primarily in the New York City metropolitan area.

The contaminated cheese was discovered through routine sampling and testing by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

If consumed, the product could cause Listeriosis, a disease that usually causes mild flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals; however, in immune-compromised individuals, meningitis and blood poisoning can occur. Pregnant women are also considered a high-risk group, as Listeriosis can also result in stillbirths.

To date, no known illnesses have been associated with the product.

Consumers with this product are urged to discard it or return it to the place of purchase.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by tg 2003-APR-28.