Quesito El Establo, based in Salem, New Hampshire, has announced a recall of all its Queso Español (Quesito Colombiano) products. The recall follows the discovery of rodent presence and other unsanitary conditions during production and storage.
According to the company, there are several health risks associated with rodent contamination, including the potential for Salmonella. Consuming affected products could lead to illness due to possible Salmonella contamination. This bacterium can cause serious or even fatal infections in vulnerable groups such as infants, young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, those with pre-existing medical conditions like cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant recipients, and others with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience symptoms like fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and result in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (including infected aneurysms), endocarditis, or arthritis.
The recalled cheese was distributed in Massachusetts at retail stores that cater to Hispanic/Latino customers. All products marked with an expiration date of AUG 22 2025 or earlier are included in this recall.
The product is packaged in plastic wrap inside Ziploc-type bags. Each unit weighs about one pound and features a blue label displaying a cow image at the center with “Quesito Colombiano” written below in yellow letters. The top of the label reads “Spanish Cheese,” while “Quesito El Establo” appears as the manufacturer. Expiration dates are printed on each label.
No illnesses have been reported so far.
The recall stems from an FDA inspection where unsanitary conditions were observed. Quesito El Establo has stopped production and distribution of the product while both the FDA and company continue their investigation.
Consumers who purchased this product are advised not to consume it and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, consumers can contact the company at 617-842-0513 between Monday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
