Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                CFSAN Constituent Updates

CFSAN Constituent Updates Home
          Food
          News & Events from CFSAN
          CFSAN Constituent Updates
          FDA Releases Prevention Strategy to Enhance the Safety of Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-Type CheesesCFSAN Constituent Updates FDA Releases Prevention Strategy to Enhance the Safety of Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintConstituent Update

March 20, 2023

The FDA has released a summary of a new strategy aimed at reducing foodborne outbreaks and illness associated with the consumption of soft fresh Queso Fresco type cheeses.

Between 2014-2017, the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) network investigated five listeriosis outbreaks linked to the consumption of soft fresh queso fresco type (QFT) cheeses. Most recently, in 2021 CORE investigated an outbreak linked to soft fresh QFT cheeses that sickened 13 people. Historically, outbreaks associated with queso fresco type cheeses were found to be associated with unpasteurized milk; however, recent investigations have found these cheeses have been made from pasteurized milk with contamination occurring during the cheese making process.

The prevention strategy reflects a review of outbreak findings, historical data and stakeholder engagement with industry and other stakeholders to identify public health interventions that can be taken to reduce future incidences of foodborne illness linked to soft fresh QFT cheeses. As part of the prevention strategy the Agency has also released a fact sheet to help manufacturers of soft queso fresco-type cheeses better understand food safety risks the can occur during production. The fact sheet also identifies food safety resources available to manufacturers.

Prevention Strategies are an affirmative, deliberate approach undertaken by the FDA and stakeholders to help limit or prevent future outbreaks. They build on the foundational work established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food, while leveraging data enhancements and modern approaches included in FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety. They also advance the goals set forth in FDA’ Foodborne Outbreak Response Improvement Plan.

Collaboration is critical for food safety success and the prevention of foodborne illness. For more information visit FDA’s Prevention strategies to Enhance Food Safety webpage, or contact FoodSafetyPreventionStrategies@fda.hhs.gov.

**For More Information**

FDA Fact Sheet: Resources for the Control of *Listeria monocytogenes* for Manufacturers of Soft Queso Fresco-type Cheeses
	Summary of FDA’s Strategy to Help Prevent Listeriosis Outbreaks Associated with Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      03/20/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesCFSAN Constituent Updates
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop