WASHINGTON. –- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration widened the recall of cheeses by El Abuelito Cheese of Paterson, New Jersey, to include more of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Numerous outbreaks have been reported, the agency said. The risk is the virulent food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Infections in 20% to 30% of high-risk individuals can be fatal. The first Abuelito recall was February 19 of soft cheese, then expanded to cover additional Abuelito products. Consumers were advised not to eat, sell or serve:
> Queso Fresco: El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo.
> Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese): El Abuelito, El Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, IdealbBrands.
> Requeson (ricotta): El Abuelito, El Viejito.
Not only soft cheeses. Recall of El Abuelito products expanded.
