L.A. health officials have warned the public about eating Latin American-style cheese from unlicensed makers, whose products could be contaminated.
At issue are cheeses such as queso fresco, panela, queso seco, asadero, queso Oaxaca, queso Cotija, and crema, which may be made with unpasteurized milk that could contain harmful bacterias.
The L.A. County Public Health Department said it is working with federal health officials and the L.A. County district attorney's office to find unlicensed vendors and shut them down. Officials urged the public to avoid buying cheese at swap meets or from door-to-door vendors.
"With unlicensed dairy products, you cannot be sure of what you're getting," health officer Jonathan E. Fielding said in a statement. "They may contain unpasteurized milk, have been made in unsanitary conditions, and may have been transported without refrigeration. This is a recipe for disaster, as harmful bacteria in these products can be dangerous to your health and safety."
At issue are cheeses such as queso fresco, panela, queso seco, asadero, queso Oaxaca, queso Cotija, and crema, which may be made with unpasteurized milk that could contain harmful bacterias.
The L.A. County Public Health Department said it is working with federal health officials and the L.A. County district attorney's office to find unlicensed vendors and shut them down. Officials urged the public to avoid buying cheese at swap meets or from door-to-door vendors.
"With unlicensed dairy products, you cannot be sure of what you're getting," health officer Jonathan E. Fielding said in a statement. "They may contain unpasteurized milk, have been made in unsanitary conditions, and may have been transported without refrigeration. This is a recipe for disaster, as harmful bacteria in these products can be dangerous to your health and safety."
Thu Aug 20 02:57:44 2009