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Unlicensed and
Unsafe Dairy Products

Steve Cooley, District Attorney
County of Los Angeles

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(Haga clic aquí para versión en español)

District Attorney Steve Cooley warns consumers in Los Angeles County to be on the alert for unsafe dairy products. These include soft cheese and sour cream purchased from unlicensed manufacturers or vendors. 

Among the suspect products are cheese and creams such as queso fresco, panela, queso seco, asadero, queso Oaxaca, queso Cotija and crema. The use of unpasteurized milk, unsanitary manufacturing conditions and lack of refrigeration by makers and vendors could cause contamination to the products.  

Contaminated products can cause severe illness to infants, the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. Many of the symptoms mimic the flu or food poisoning, such as stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea. 

If you suspect that you have eaten an unpasteurized or contaminated dairy product, call your doctor immediately and also notify the Los Angeles County Public Health Department at 1-888-397-3993.  

If you suspect someone is making or selling unlicensed dairy products or have any questions regarding such products in your area, please call Public Health’s Food and Milk Program at 626-430-5400. The California Department of Food and Agriculture also has a Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch with inspectors available to field consumer questions and complaints at 916-654-0773. 

December 22, 2009

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