The abuela project: Safe cheese workshops to reduce the incidence of Salmonella typhimurium from consumption of raw-milk fresh cheese

Objectives. A multiagency intervention was implemented in Yakima County, Wa sh, to reduce the incidence of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections r esulting from eating queso fresco (fresh cheese) made from raw milk, a trad itional food in the Hispanic diet. Methods. A pasteurized-milk queso fresco recipe with taste and texture acce ptable to the Hispanic community was developed. rained Hispanic volunteers conducted safe cheese workshops, which were attended by more than 225 perso ns. Results. Workshop participants' acceptance of the new recipe was excellent and positive behavior changes were maintained over 6 months. Conclusions. Educational interventions in Hispanic communities can reduce t he incidence of Salmonella Typhimurium associated with eating queso fresco.