A Listeria outbreak linked to soft, Mexican-style cheese has killed one person and sickened two others.
Several Lacteos Santa Martha cheeses made by Oasis Brands Inc. with best by dates of 7/14 through 12/31/14 have been recalled.
FDA: Full list of recalled cheeses
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The products has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled cheese need to do a thorough cleaning of their refrigerators and kitchens.
Listeria monocytogenes can grow in cold temperatures, so the longer cheese or any other a ready-to-eat food has been stored in the refrigerator, the more potential there is for the bacteria to multiply.
The Food and Drug Administration not only recommends throwing out the cheese, but also any food that may have been cross-contaminated, then thoroughly cleaning the area where the cheese was kept or used with the soapy solution and bleach solution. Then make a new batch of solution and clean, sanitize and dry your cutting boards and countertops.