Firm Recalls Mexican Cheese After Listeria Bacteria Is Found

The Ariza Cheese Co., a Paramount firm that specializes in making Mexican-style cheese, has agreed to recall all its products after potentially deadly listeria bacteria was found in a sample, state officials said Friday.

No illnesses have been reported, but officials warned consumers they should discard any Ariza cheese products they have.

A sample of “Panela” soft fresh cheese, taken Jan. 19 as part of the state’s monthly sampling program, was confirmed tainted with listeria in laboratory tests Friday, said Jan Wessell, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture.

The listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, a sometimes fatal infection that can result in miscarriages and stillbirths. It presents a serious risk to pregnant women and their fetuses, elderly people and people with weak immune systems.