Maryland Department of Health Maryland Department of Health issues consumer advisory for La Cieba, La Colonia and Selectos Latinos cheeses amid contamination investigation

March 26, 2021

Media Contacts:

Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536

Charles Gischlar, Deputy Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-6491

Maryland Department of Health issues consumer advisory for La Cieba, La Colonia and Selectos Latinos cheeses amid contamination investigation

Baltimore, MD—The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is warning consumers not to eat the following cheeses under the brand names La Cieba, La Colonia, and Selectos Latinos until further notice, as they may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and E.coli bacteria:

Cuajada el Terron
Queso Morolique con Chile
Queso Con Loroco
Queso Con Chile
Queso Frijolero
Queso Duro Blando Salvadoreno
Queso Salvadoreno
Queso Seco Salvadoreno

Marylanders are advised not to consume these products. If you have purchased one or more of these products, throw them away. If you consumed one or more of these products, watch for symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or fever. If symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider.

Staph food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Staph food poisoning is characterized by a sudden start of nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.

E. coli are bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses including bloody diarrhea.

For more information on Staphylococcal food poisoning visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/diseases/staphylococcal.html

For more information from the Food and Drug Administration on E.coli and foodborne illness visit:

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/e-coli-and-foodborne-illness

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.