Nevada child ill from eating illegal 'bathtub cheese'

[bijou]

A local child became seriously ill after eating homemade cheese that was illegally sold door-to-door, the Washoe County Health District announced Thursday.

Officials at the health district confirmed that the unidentified child tested positive for a case of the foodborne illness campylobacter, which causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting.

...

Homemade cheese

The homemade cheese, also known as "Mexican bathtub cheese," or queso fresco, is usually made in homes without following required local and federal food safety standards, health officials said.

They warned residents not to buy any foods from unlicensed food vendors.

Unpasteurized dairy products might be contaminated with Campylobacter, according to the health district.

Because queso fresco is made with unpasteurized milk in unsanitary and unlicensed facilities, it poses a serious health threat to consumers, particularly the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people who have weakened immune systems.

Unknown origin

Although it has not been determined if the cheese that made the child sick was made locally, it is being sold door-to-door in the Truckee Meadows throughout Hispanic communities, health officials said.

They urged consumers not to purchase cheese or other food products, such as corn on the cob and tamales, from anyone who does not have verification that their food preparation has been inspected and approved by the district's Environmental Health Services.

A staple in many immigrant communities, "bathtub cheese," or Mexican-style soft cheese often is made in bathtubs and backyard troughs....

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100521/NEWS/5210400/1321/news

[JohnnyReb]

Don't worry, be happy, Obamacare will pay or not all medical expenses.

[RobJohnson]

Poor kid. I hope he/she is ok.

[Chris_]

I still get a laugh out of 'Mexican Bathtub Cheese'. 

Definitely something you don't want to cut corners with.

[The Village Idiot]

I was really hoping this was a myth. Wow.

[Ballygrl]

I had to google it because I never heard of bathtub cheese, seems there was a TB outbreak in California in 2008 related to this type of cheese.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24954041/

[Chris_]

We have these ice cream peddlers that have freezer chests mounted on the front of bicycles.  They pedal around the neighborhood, but I never see anyone buying food from them. 

Probably a good idea.

[kenth]

Ever been to a Mexican restaurant and the dishes are just loaded with cheese? You know they're not paying retail.

lol.

[The Village Idiot]

Ever been to a Mexican restaurant and the dishes are just loaded with cheese? You know they're not paying retail.

lol.

 

[The Village Idiot]

Ever been to a Mexican restaurant and the dishes are just loaded with cheese? You know they're not paying retail.

lol.

Oh Crap.... I sure hope that fajita meat was real.

[bijou]

Oh Crap.... I sure hope that fajita meat was real.

It was real meat, from some sort of an animal I'm sure.  Though you may want to steer clear of Jose's Mystery Fajita and Taco stand. 

[Taxman]

The locals in Mexico always joked that before you ate anything you purchased from a street vendor that you should drop it in front of a dog.  If the dog ate it you were good to go...if not put the food down and walk away. 

[Hawkgirl]

Seriously, who would eat something called "mexican bathtub cheese" 

[The Village Idiot]

Seriously, who would eat something called "mexican bathtub cheese" 

I am pretty sure they didn't call it that, they definitely need better PR if they did

[JLO]

I had to google it because I never heard of bathtub cheese, seems there was a TB outbreak in California in 2008 related to this type of cheese.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24954041/

Thanks for that informative link.  Just imagine another TB outbreak.  They must have caught it in 2008.  But now?  As a child, I was double-tested.  Scary for certain.