NEW YORK, Jul 7, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Federal authorities say they have
gone to court to stop a New York cheese company from making and distributing its
products, alleging contamination problems.
The U.S. Justice Department, acting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
filed a complaint in U.S. District Court alleging Peregrina Cheese Inc. has a
history of operating under insanitary conditions. The government alleges cheese
produced by Peregrina is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a Justice
Department release Tuesday said.
Listeria is a food-borne pathogen. It can cause serious illness and has been
known to cause death in young children and those who are frail or elderly.
The release alleges FDA investigators found Listeria monocytogenes within the
factory and in finished cheese products on numerous occasions since 2004. It
also contends New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets conducted
laboratory testing which found Listeria in Peregrina products.
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