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Consumer Alert - Health Officials Warn Consumers NOT to Consume Fresh Italian-Style Cheeses Made by Liuzzi Cheese Co. in North Haven Harford

May 2001

Contact:  William Gerrish 
                (860) 509-7270

For Immediate Release

The Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Agriculture are issuing an advisory today regarding cheeses produced by Liuzzi Cheese Company in North Haven, Connecticut. Epidemiologic investigation has linked at least 12 of 15 cases of a particular strain of Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella newport) to consumption of any of 3 different types of cheese produced by the store since approximately 20 Mar 2001: basket cheese, ricotta cheese,and mozzarella cheese. All were made with unpasteurized milk. These cheeses have been widely distributed in Connecticut and neighboring states and were sold with a Liuzzi label in food stores and delicatessens. Salmonella bacteria usually cause self-limited diarrhea. However, some people can get high fevers and become dehydrated. The illness can then become life-threatening if not treated, particularly in persons in high-risk groups such as infants, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Of the 15 cases reported to date, 7 have been hospitalized for treatment.

The Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Agriculture recommend the following:

Consumers who bought any of these fresh cheese products with the Liuzzi label since at least 20 Mar 2001 or later are advised NOT to eat it. Rather, they should call the Department of Public Health (860-509-7994) to report that they still have some of the cheese left.
Persons who have already consumed the potentially contaminated cheese made with raw milk and who do not have any symptoms do not need any special medical evaluation or treatment, even if they are in high risk groups.
Persons who have consumed the cheese and who become ill within 7 days with fever and/or diarrhea should inform their physicians about this exposure and ask to be cultured for Salmonella and call the state Department of Public Health (860-509-7994).

The producer and the Department of Consumer Protection are working with distributors to remove all unsold implicated cheese from store shelves. The producer has ceased production of cheese until further investigation has been completed.

Over the past 10 days, DPH epidemiologists noted an increase in S. newport infections. By 23 Apr 2001, 4 cases were reported, and 11 more cases during the ensuing week (usually only one to 2 S. newport infections are identified each month). Interviews of the 15 ill persons and 40 persons without illness who live in the same towns as the cases have established a clear link with cheese from Liuzzi's. Of the 15 ill persons, at least 14 ate Liuzzi's fresh cheese within a week of becoming ill. Few of the persons without illness ate any fresh Italian-style cheese. No other food or drink item was implicated.

The 15 ill persons range in age from 15 to 88 years. At least 7 have been hospitalized; none have died. They are residents of Bristol, Hamden, Hebron, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Haven, Orange, Seymour, Southington, Torrington, Watertown, Wethersfield, and Wolcott.

Although it is unknown exactly how the cheese may have become contaminated, it was made with unpasteurized milk, which may be contaminated with bacteria carried by cows. Unless it is pasteurized, milk may contain Salmonella and other pathogenic organisms. Federal regulations require that fresh cheese be made with pasteurized milk or that the processing include a formal pasteurization step.

Persons who have questions about the distribution of basket, ricotta, or mozzarella cheese from the Liuzzi Cheese Company should call the Department of Agriculture at (860)713-2508, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by jch 2001-MAY-04.