The CDC has announced that a Listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses has resulted in 1 death and 24 cases of illness across 10 states as of this evening.
There have also been 3 cases of meningitis in children as a result of this outbreak.
The outbreak, which dates all the way back to August of 2010, involves various Middle-Eastern style soft cheeses, including Feta and Mozarrella, distributed by the brand Karoun Dairies.
Products that may be contaminated are sold under the brands Karoun, Arz, Gopi, Queso Del Valle, Central Valley Creamery and Yanni.
They are vacuum packed in jars or pails and weigh between 5 and 30 ounces and were sent to restaurants and stores in 10 states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Washington; the 1 death occurred in Ohio.
You can see the full list of recalled items here
In a statement, the company said: “To date, no product has tested positive for Listeria but in view of the association with listeriosis cases Karoun Dairies Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall in the interest of protecting public health,”
CDC and FDA officials have confirmed they do not know the exact source of the outbreak, but most people reported eating soft cheese before becoming sick, with four of seven who specified the brand of cheese eaten named Karoun.
Any business or individual with one of these soft cheese products in their possession should throw them away immediately.
The CDC also recommends you thoroughly wash anywhere the cheese came in contact with, including refrigerator drawers or cutting boards with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach added to one gallon of hot water.
Consumers can also return the product to the place they bought it for a full refund.
Symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhea.
It can also lead to meningitis, as is the case with this current outbreak.
Pregnant women, newborns, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system are most at risk for infection.
Symptoms can take up to 2 months to show, so contact your doctor if you have any questions.
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