ROOS FOOD RECALL EXPANDS TO SOUR CREAM SOLD IN DELAWARE STORES

DOVER (February 28, 2014) - Roos Foods is expected to expand its voluntary recall of cheese products, issued February 23, to include sour cream products under the name Crema Pura Mexicana Cultured Sour Cream, produced at its Kenton, Del., location. Customers and food outlets should destroy these products immediately.

The cheese products have been linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes, in other states, including Virginia, Maryland and California, including one fatality. No illnesses or deaths have been reported in Delaware.

While none of the Roos cheese being recalled was found on Delaware shelves, the sour cream expected to be recalled was shipped to in-state locations. The Division of Public Health (DPH) is alerting retail outlets and engaging in spot check visits to ensure no products remain on shelves. The sour cream products have not been found to contain Listeria in laboratory tests, but recent test results demonstrating bacteria within the factory has led to an expected voluntary recall of the sour cream.

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, Listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Anyone who has consumed one of the potentially contaminated products and is experiencing these symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. The infection can stay in the body for a long time for those in a high-risk group (pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems). People who experience fever and other non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue and aches, within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the physician or health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

Roos has ceased the production and distribution of the products as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the contamination problem. While the FDA regulates cheese production, DPH has been working closely with the FDA, including on-site visits since the outbreak. In addition, DPH visited local retail stores out of an abundance of caution to confirm none of the recalled cheese products being sold in Delaware.

The recalled cheese products sold in other states linked to the problem are Mexicana, Amigo, Santa Rosa De Lima, and Anita. For more information, go to www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm387210.htm .

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.