Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Frescolina Brand Ricotta Salata Cheese
Posted September 11, 2012 9:15 PM ET
More Information:
Latest Case Count Map
Latest Epi Curve
Highlights
- Read the Advice to Consumers »
- As of September 11, 2012, a total of 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia.
- The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
- All 14 ill persons have been hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of these deaths.
- Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 10, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled one lot of Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
- The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington between June 20, 2012 and August 9, 2012.
- Consumers who purchased recalled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults. When in doubt, throw it out.
- CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.
Initial Announcement
September 11, 2012
CDC is collaborating with public health and regulatory officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis). Joint investigation efforts indicate that ricotta salata cheese is the likely source.
Public health investigators are using DNA “fingerprints” of Listeria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.
A total of 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia. The number of ill people identified in each location is as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
Among persons for whom information is available, dates that illness was diagnosed range from March 28, 2012 to August 30, 2012. All 14 ill persons were hospitalized. Four of the illnesses were related to a pregnancy; two of these were diagnosed in newborns. The other 10 ill persons ranged in age from 56 years to 87 years, with a median age of 79 years, and 55% were female. No fetal losses have been reported. Three deaths have been reported; one each in Minnesota, Nebraska, and New York. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of the deaths in Nebraska and New York, but did not contribute to the death in Minnesota.
The outbreak can be visually described with a chart showing the number of persons who were diagnosed each day. This chart is called an epidemic curve or epi curve. Clinical specimens that were collected after August 26, 2012 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.
About 800 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis are reported each year in the United States and typically 3 or 4 outbreaks are identified and reported to CDC. Some foods that have been linked to outbreaks in recent years are Mexican-style soft cheeses, cantaloupe, sprouts, celery, and ready-to-eat deli meat.Investigation of the Outbreak
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations conducted by officials in local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies indicate that imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. is the likely source of this outbreak of listeriosis. In interviews, ill persons answered questions about foods consumed and other exposures in the month before becoming ill. Twelve (86%) of 14 ill persons interviewed reported consuming a soft cheese. All six ill persons who could provide information about packaging of cheeses reported consuming cheese that had been cut and repackaged at a retail location. The investigation is complex because ill persons reported consuming many different cheeses from many different retail locations. No one cheese was reported by the majority of ill persons, suggesting that cross-contamination of other cheeses through cutting boards and utensils may have played a role. The investigation focused on identifying intact cheeses shipped to multiple retail locations where ill persons purchased cut and repackaged cheese.
FDA identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in a sample of uncut imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. FDA is working closely with CDC, the firm involved, and public health authorities in states where illnesses occurred to determine the exact cause of contamination.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov