The Washington State Department of Health this week issued a warning against eating soft Mexican cheese products made by a Yakima company after a Washington resident was confirmed with listeriosis. The affected products made by the Yakima-based Queseria Bendita (see photo) are subject to a voluntary recall.

According to the state’s website:

Health officials linked the illness of a pregnant woman in King County to cheese products contaminated with Listeria. Samples taken from stores and from the plant confirmed the bacteria. The woman was ill in January and has since recovered. The baby was delivered without complications; however, the disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be very serious.

Microscopic view of "Listeria monocytogenes" from Wikimedia.

Healthy people infected with Listeria may have diarrhea or flu-like illness — fever, headache, muscle aches. It can result in bloodstream infection or meningitis. People with weak immune systems or other health conditions are at higher risk. Women who are infected during pregnancy may pass it to their babies. This can result in early delivery or stillbirth. Pregnant women and their newborns are 20 times more likely than healthy adults to get a Listeria infection.

Queseria Bendita has announced the recall of three different types of cheeses (www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm201350.htm) – Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson. These products are sold in stores, and also supplied to many restaurants in the Pacific Northwest (www.oregon.gov/DHS/news/2010news/2010-0219a.pdf). Health officials urge anyone who has these products not to eat them (www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2010_news/QuesBendList-sp.pdf).

Listeriosis (www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/factsheet/listeriosis.htm) is mostly a foodborne infection caused by Listeria bacteria. Listeria is often found in soft cheeses, including feta, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, bleu, and Mexican–style cheeses. It’s commonly found in raw milk and other ready-to-eat foods — smoked fish, vegetables, salads, and items purchased at store delis. The bacteria may also be found in hot dogs and other processed meats.

There are some steps everyone can take to reduce the risk of acquiring a Listeria infection:

• Avoid unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk (including cheese).
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
• Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
• Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

The Department of Health recommends people avoid eating certain foods and practice safe food handling. Information on food safety (www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/food/safetytips.html) is on the state health department’s Web site.

Online, there are several other tips on how to avoid listeriosis available here..

Tuesday, May 5th is Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday that gives everyone an excuse to take a shot of tequila on a weekday.

Oh, and it’s also the celebration of the Mexican army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. However, it is not Mexican Independence Day, nor is it a national holiday in Mexico, but rather a day that can be observed voluntarily.

And no, we’re not going to mention swine flu in this story just to increase our Google pagerank.

Oops…we just did. Dang.

Here’s what’s going on:

WHITE CENTER:
McMurphy’s: 11069 16th Ave SW: Karaoke & Drink Specials

Marv’s Broiler: 9808 16th Ave SW: Appetizer & Drink Specials

Triangle Pub: 9454 Delridge Way SW: Beer & Tequila Specials

Viva Mexico: 10601 16th Ave SW: Beer & Tequila & Appetizer Specials

Cafe Rozella: 9434 Delridge Way SW: Music of Trio Lucero del Norte, specializing in Son Huasteca, 6pm

BURIEN:
Azteca: 153 SW 157th: Happy Hour All Day 32oz Beer Special

La Costa: 206 SW 152nd: BIG PARTY 9pm-2am Drink Specials & Jello Shots NO COVER

El Rinconsito: 15101 Ambaum Blvd SW: Taco Plate Special

Vino Bello: 636 SW 152nd: 2pm-9pm Beer & Sangria Specials

Tin Room: 923 SW 152nd St: All Mexican Menu & Drink Specials

Sunnydale Tavern: 14404 Des Moines Memorial Drive: Live Music, Beer & Tequila Specials. Jello Shots

Twiggs: 12803 Ambaum Blvd SW: $3 Corona’s

Breaktime Lounge: 635 SW 152nd: $1.00 Taco’s

Barrel Tavern: 11051 1st Ave South: Beer & Food Specials, Regular Jam session. No Cover

We dropped by the Dia de los Muertos celebration going on a few miles south at the Burien Community Center Saturday and took these photos:

The exhibit/celebration continues Sunday from 10am-6pm, it’s free and everyone’s invited to come make or add to an “offrenda” or offering to the dearly departed. You can also just enjoy the altars, artwork, video presentation and even hot chocolate.

The Burien Community Center is located at 425 SW 144th Street in Burien.

A special Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead” celebration will take place this weekend (Sat. and Sun. Nov. 1-2) from 10am to 6pm at the Burien Community Center, which is about three miles south of the Dub-C at 425 SW 144th Street (map below).

This is a first-time collaboration between Burien Parks, the Highline Historical Society and Para los Ninos, and it should be a fun and interesting time for all, both living and dead.

Everyone is invited to help commemorate their deceased loved ones with “offrendas,” or offerings through alters that include fanciful foods, symbols, photos and even artifacts that honor that person’s life.

According to Mexican legend:

Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living.

People will go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and will build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, and photos and memorabilia, of the departed.

The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them.

Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.

You can get more information on this celebration at the Highline Historical Society’s website.

Here’s an interesting video that shows some of what this fascinating day is all about:

View Larger Map

Far as we know, no other local neighborhood blog in the Seattle area is utilizing this feature, which is now active and available on our right sidebar, directly underneath the “Local Weather” section – we at the White Center Blog proudly announce:

AUTOMATIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATION!

To see it in action, just click on either the Korean, Chinese or Spanish flag under the “Translator” heading on the right sidebar; the page should automatically translate to whichever language you chose.

Give it a try:

• In Korean
• In Chinese
• In Spanish

We hope to add additional languages soon, but for now these three languages should help us appeal to approximately 33% more of our potential White Center audience.

We know these stats have changed in eight years, but from our personal experience in the ‘hood, we’ve decided to go with Korean, Chinese and Spanish for now, with hopes of expanding to other languages soon.

So…spread the word and let’s keep the diversity of the Dub-C flowing on the internet!

Please email us if you have any problems or suggestions – we’re always trying to improve the White Center Blog, as well as helping to serve this wonderfully diverse community.