Thread: Illegal cheese suspected in outbreak

Illegal cheese suspected in outbreak
(http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/3102 ... 23.article)

March 23, 2007

BY STEVE LORD Aurora Beacon News
Illegally manufactured and distributed Mexican-style cheeses may be linked to a recent salmonella outbreak, Kane County authorities said Thursday.

Kane County Health Department officials declined to name the cheeses as the sole source of the outbreak. But they issued a public warning about queso fresco or queso cotija cheese, adding that they found salmonella in dairy purchased at Aurora's El Paso Carniceria Chico.


Unpasteurized milk used
At least 32 salmonella related illnesses were reported in Aurora, Elgin, Carpentersville and Dundee since January 2006. Most of those affected are Latino.
Kane County Health Department deputy director Paul Kuehnert recommended disposing any white Mexican cheese from area Mexican grocery stores.

Kuehnert said the unlicensed cheese manufactured in Illinois is made from unpasteurized milk and fails to meet many state- and county-mandated safeguards.

Kuehnert said the department is working with El Paso, but added that the store has not been "as forthcoming as we would hope."

Anyone with questions should call 630-444-3300.

Sun-Times News Group

I just find this outrageous that they are not only illegal but are running illegal businesses and selling illegal products. Where does it end? Lord...there's plenty of illegal ways to make money.....just doesn't seem to pay to abide by the law.