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Avoid Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses if You're in High-Risk Groups

The FDA recommends pregnant people, adults over age 65, and people with weakened immune systems avoid queso fresco-type cheeses to help prevent serious illness

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Five image collage depicting fresco-style cheeses.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends pregnant people, adults aged 65 and older, and people who have weakened immune systems avoid eating all queso fresco-type cheeses. The recommendation is included in updated consumer education materials from FDA’s Human Foods Program.

Queso fresco-type cheeses are highly susceptible to the bacteria (germ) Listeria, which can cause an illness called listeriosis. Outbreaks of listeriosis have been repeatedly linked to people eating queso fresco-type cheeses. While anyone can get listeriosis, it can be especially harmful, even life-threatening, for unborn or newborn babies, adults aged 65 and older, and people who have weakened immune systems.

Queso fresco-type cheeses are used in a variety of food preparations. The cheeses can be found in major retail stores, Latino or ethnic stores, farmer’s markets, or in prepared foods in restaurants such as quesadillas, nachos, tacos, burritos, soups, salads, scrambled eggs, and other dishes.  

Translated from Spanish, queso fresco means “fresh cheese.” Examples of queso fresco-type cheeses include queso fresco, queso blanco, requesón. You may see them labeled as Latin-style, Hispanic-style, or Mexican-style queso fresco with Latin American country flags or cultural iconic images.

Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses Can Be Prone to Listeria

Queso fresco-type cheeses don’t go through a significant aging process, need to be refrigerated, and have a short shelf life.

Because queso fresco-type cheeses are high in moisture and low in acidity, they can provide an ideal environment for Listeria to grow. Unlike many bacteria that merely survive in cold environments, Listeria can thrive even at refrigeration temperatures.

The food safety process of pasteurization, in which raw milk is heated to a specific temperature for a set amount of time, is effective at eliminating Listeria. However, cheeses made with pasteurized milk can become re-contaminated if the manufacturing environment is unsanitary.  

Recognizing Listeriosis and If You Are High Risk

Symptoms of listeriosis vary based on the form of the illness.

In the less severe form, symptoms typically last 1 to 3 days and may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In the more severe form, the bacteria spreads beyond the intestines. Symptoms can progress to headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, with death occurring in about 20% of these cases.

High-Risk Groups

In pregnant people, symptoms may be mild or may even go unnoticed but can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, or in some cases, death of the newborn baby.  

In the United States, the risk of pregnant people getting listeriosis is about 10 times greater than that of the general population. Because immune systems are altered during pregnancy, it is harder for pregnant people to fight off infections.  

The risk of listeriosis increases to about 24 times more than that of the general population if the pregnant person is Hispanic. This higher incidence may be related to the increased consumption of foods highly susceptible to Listeria contamination, like queso fresco-type cheeses.

Adults 65 years or older and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for developing serious symptoms associated with listeriosis.  

Immediately consult with a health care professional and tell them what you ate, if you think you have symptoms that resemble listeriosis.

Tips to Safely Select, Handle, Prepare Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses

The best way for people at high risk for listeriosis to prevent getting sick is to avoid foods that have a greater risk of Listeria contamination.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed past outbreaks and illnesses related to Listeria. The CDC developed a list of cheeses at greater risk of Listeria contamination that people at high risk of illness should avoid. The list, as well as suggested alternatives, can be found here.

For people at greater risk for listeriosis who choose to continue eating queso fresco-type products, the FDA offers the following food safety advice.

Selecting Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses

  • Only buy queso fresco-type cheeses that:  
    • Are sold in sealed, unopened packaging.  
    • Are clearly labeled with the name and contact information of the manufacturer or producer.  
    • Display a date that the cheese should be used by (e.g., expiration date, best if used by, or use by).  
    • Are clearly identified on the label as being made with pasteurized milk.
  • Avoid buying queso fresco-type cheeses that are not refrigerated, or that do not feel cold to the touch.
  • Avoid buying queso fresco-type cheeses if the packaging appears swollen or bloated, or if the product seems to be spoiled in any way.

Storing and Handling Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses  

  • Refrigerate newly purchased products in the original, unopened packaging as soon as possible.
  • Keep the cheeses at or below 40° F (4° C).
  • Use the cheese as soon as possible after purchase. Do not keep leftovers.
  • Discard the cheese if it has been sitting in the temperature “Danger Zone,” between 40° F and 140° F (4° C and 60° C), for longer than 2 hours. This is when bacteria in food can rapidly multiply, potentially leading to foodborne illness.

  Preparing Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses  

  • Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling the cheeses.
  • Start with cheeses from unopened, original packaging. Avoid keeping or eating any leftovers.  
  • If able, try to cook the queso fresco-type cheese as part of the dish, to a minimum internal temperature of 165° F (74° C).  
  • Wash all utensils, cutting boards, and other surfaces that came in contact with the cheeses before using them again to prepare other foods.  

Additional Resources

The FDA and CDC have more information on queso fresco-type cheeses, listeria, and food safety to help you protect yourself and your family.

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