50 Food Poisoning Cases Lead to Cheese Warning
- Share via
More than 50 reported cases of salmonella poisoning since January have prompted state health officials to warn consumers to avoid an illegally produced cheese popular among Latinos.
Many of the cases linked to the soft white cheese--queso fresco-- occurred in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.
Of the 36 people studied so far, 14 were hospitalized, including seven children, said epidemiologist Dr. Michele Cheung.
Officials have been unable to identify the maker or distributor of the cheese, which is available at grocery stores, but also can be purchased from street vendors and homemakers in the Bay Area.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.