Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheeses
- Read the Advice to Consumers & Cheese Retailers»
- A total of six persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from five states.
- The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Minnesota (2), Ohio (1), and Texas (1).
- All six ill persons were hospitalized. One death was reported in Minnesota. In addition, one illness in a pregnant woman resulted in a miscarriage.
- Since the last update, one ill person has been reported from Texas.
- A collaborative investigation by local and state public health and regulatory agencies, CDC, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicates that Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses made by Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company are the likely source of this outbreak.
- On July 3, 2013, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company of Waterloo, Wisconsin voluntarily recalled its Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses with make dates of July 1, 2013 or earlier due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
- The recalled cheeses were distributed nationwide through retail and foodservice outlets as well as by mail orders.
- During the inspection of the Crave Brothers facility in July 2013, the FDA collected a sample of Petit Frère with Truffles that was found to contain Listeria monocytogenes with the same DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain.
- Consumers who purchased any of the recalled cheeses should not eat them and should throw away any remaining cheeses.
- This is especially important for pregnant women, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems, who are at the highest risk for infection and serious outcomes.
http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/
Posted August 28, 2013