FDA Cautions Consumers About Estrella Family Creamery Cheeses

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Fast Facts

• This advisory affects all lots of Estrella Family Creamery cheeses, including cheeses identified as soft, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard.
• The cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) and may cause serious illness.
• L. mono is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
• Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
• Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Consumers who have the cheeses should throw them away.
• Consumers with symptoms of Listeria should consult their health care professionals.

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What is the Problem?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to discard cheeses from Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Wash., because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Environmental samples and one product sample collected by the FDA during an August 2010 inspection at the facility have tested positive for L. mono.  

The company had previously recalled cheeses due to L. mono contamination, but resumed marketing in May 2010.  

Previous recall notices for Estrella products:

2/10/10: Estrella Family Creamery Recalls Red Darla Cheese Due to Possible Health Risks

2/17/10: Estrella Family Creamery Expands Recall Of Various Cheeses Because Of Possible Health Risk

3/5/10: Estrella Family Creamery Recalls Old Apple Tree Tomme Cheese Due to Possible Health Risks

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

For more information on Listeria: http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/listeria.html

Who is at Risk?

All individuals are at risk. However, unborn babies, young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?  

Consumers should discard the cheeses in the trash in a sealed container so that children and animals, such as wildlife, cannot access them. Consumers who are concerned about illness from L. mono should consult their health care professionals.

What Does the Product Look Like?

Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes.

While a complete product list is not available, some of the varieties that have been produced by Estrella include:

• Black Creek Buttery
• Dominoes
• Guapier
• Grisdale Goat
• Subblime
• Partly Sunny
• Wynoochee River Blue
• Caldwell Crik Chevrette
• Old Apple Tree Tomme
• Valentina
• Vineyard Tomme
• Brewleggio
• Red Darla
• Reposee
• Bea Truffled
• Jalapeno Buttery
• Weebles

Where is it Distributed?

Estrella cheeses are sold at specialty cheese shops, farmers markets, the company's farm store in Montesano, Wash., and through the internet. The company also sells to restaurants and takes part in cheese contests where its products are sold.

What is Being Done about the Problem?

FDA will continue its investigation, working with state and local officials, and will consider taking any further action that may be necessary.

Who Should be Contacted?

Consumers who have experienced symptoms of illness from the consumption of Estrella cheeses should contact their healthcare professionals.

Consumers may also contact their local FDA complaint coordinator in their state or call 888-INFO-FDA to report problems or illnesses related to the cheese.

The information in this press release reflects FDA's best efforts to communicate what the manufacturer has reported to FDA.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration