The Mystery Of Abuelito Cheese: A Unique, Delicious Treat

El Abuelito Cheese is a brand of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses. The company was founded by Miguel Torres, a passionate Mexican who wanted to bring a piece of Mexico to the tri-state area of New York. El Abuelito Cheese has been in business for over 25 years and is based in Paterson, New Jersey. The brand has been recalled multiple times by the FDA due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in vulnerable individuals such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

El Abuelito Cheese is a brand of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses

El Abuelito Cheese has a diverse range of products, including Queso Frijolero, Queso Fresco Salvadoran, Queso Fresco Honduran, Queso Fresco Guatemalan, and Central American Cheeses. They also offer Queso Duro Blando Salvadoreño and explore unique creations like lemon and white cheese muffins. The brand is committed to quality and tradition, ensuring that every cheese they produce embodies the authentic Mexican flavor.

In 2021, El Abuelito Cheese made headlines when they recalled several of their products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall included all Queso Fresco, Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products with specific sell-by dates. The products were distributed in several states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The recall was initiated after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a multistate listeria outbreak linked to the company. The outbreak resulted in hospitalizations and illnesses along the East Coast. El Abuelito Cheese ceased production and cooperated with the FDA to investigate the cause of the contamination.

Despite this setback, El Abuelito Cheese remains dedicated to its philosophy of quality and tradition. They strive to bring a piece of Mexico to tables across the United States, enriching lives with the delicious and authentic flavors of their cheeses.

The company recalled some products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

El Abuelito Cheese is a distributor of Latin food products, specialising in authentic Mexican cheese. The company was founded by Miguel Torres, a passionate Mexican who wanted to bring a piece of Mexico to the tri-state area of New York.

In November 2024, El Abuelito recalled some of its products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall included all Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) products with sell-by dates through 03/28/21, 04/16/21, and 03/14/21, respectively. The products were distributed through February 16, 2021, and were available in supermarkets, wholesale, and retail stores in several states.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Even healthy individuals may suffer from short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The bacterium can survive refrigeration and freezing, and it is often associated with a high mortality rate.

As of February 27, 2021, the CDC reported ten people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from four states. El Abuelito ceased the production and distribution of the affected products and is working with the FDA to investigate the cause of the problem. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

This incident highlights the importance of quality control and food safety in the cheese industry, especially when it comes to potentially dangerous bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes.

The contamination caused a multistate listeria outbreak, with 10 people falling ill

El Abuelito Cheese, a company based in Paterson, New Jersey, is the distributor of Latin food products, including Queso Fresco (Fresh, soft cheese), Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta). On February 27, 2021, the CDC reported that 10 people from four states had fallen ill with a multistate listeria outbreak caused by the contamination of El Abuelito's cheese products.

The contamination was caused by Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, frail individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Even healthy individuals may suffer from short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The CDC and FDA warned consumers to avoid all El Abuelito cheese products, including those sold under the names Rio Grande and Rio Lindo. The products were distributed in Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, but the FDA cautioned that the contaminated products could have been distributed further.

El Abuelito ceased production and distribution of the affected products and worked with the FDA to investigate the cause of the contamination. Consumers who had purchased the recalled products were urged not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. It is important to note that listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and spread easily, so proper cleaning and sanitization of surfaces and containers that came into contact with the recalled products are crucial to prevent cross-contamination.

The contamination of El Abuelito's cheese products serves as a reminder of the potential health risks associated with foodborne illnesses and the importance of food safety and proper handling, distribution, and consumption practices.

The company was founded by Miguel Torres, a passionate Mexican who wanted to bring a piece of Mexico to the tri-state area

El Abuelito Cheese was founded by Miguel Torres, a passionate Mexican who wanted to bring a piece of Mexico to the tri-state area. Born in Puebla, Mexico, Torres started his company handcrafting around 300 pounds of cheese every week in a small appliance in Passaic, New Jersey. His passion for Mexican cuisine and culture, as well as his perseverance and dedication, fueled his dream of sharing traditional Mexican flavors with the diverse communities in the tri-state area.

Torres' company, El Abuelito Cheese, was established in New York and is named after the Spanish word for "grandfather," reflecting his vision of sharing wisdom and tradition through food. The brand quickly became an integral part of the vibrant Latino community, offering a range of Latin food products, including various types of cheese, meat, and sour cream.

The success of El Abuelito Cheese allowed Torres to expand his business beyond his small appliance in Passaic. He moved to a larger facility in Paterson, New Jersey, where he continued to manufacture his products while upholding the highest quality standards. The company's commitment to excellence is evident in their quality control practices, as they perform thorough analytical tests to ensure that every cheese and meat product meets the health and safety standards of the Department of Health and the FDA.

Under Torres' leadership, El Abuelito Cheese has distributed its products across multiple states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. The brand has become synonymous with authentic Mexican flavor, and its products are now instantly recognizable, carrying the name Abuelito Cheese with pride.

Sadly, there have been some challenges along the way. In 2021, El Abuelito Cheese recalled several of its Queso Fresco products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company took swift action, ceasing production and distribution of the affected products and working closely with the FDA to investigate the issue. This recall highlighted the company's commitment to the safety and trust of its customers.

El Abuelito Cheese is distributed in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland

El Abuelito Cheese is a distributor of Latin food products, specialising in authentic Mexican flavours. The company was founded by Don Miguel Torres, a passionate Mexican with a dream of bringing a piece of Mexico to the United States. The brand's headquarters are in Paterson, New Jersey, and their products are distributed across the East Coast of the United States.

El Abuelito Cheese offers a range of Central American and Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, including Queso Fresco, Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta). Their products are sold under the brand names El Abuelito Cheese, Rio Grande Food Products, and Rio Lindo.

In 2021, El Abuelito issued a recall for several of their cheese products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall affected products with specific sell-by dates and included various types of Queso Fresco, as well as Quesillo and Requeson. The recalled products were distributed in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland, through supermarkets, wholesale, and retail stores.

The potential health risks associated with Listeria monocytogenes contamination can be severe, especially for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeria infection can vary but often include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In pregnant women, Listeria infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

El Abuelito Cheese has ceased production and distribution of the affected products and is working with the FDA to investigate the cause of the contamination. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

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