Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Border Crossers during Temporary Enforcement of a Formal Entry Requirement for Mexican-Style Soft Cheeses, 2009

Abstract

Mexican-style soft cheese known as queso fresco (QF), which is often unpasteurized, has been implicated in outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercises discretion in enforcement of noncommercial importation of cheese. To test control measures aimed at decreasing unlawful QF importation, in 2009 the FDA temporarily enforced a requirement for formal commercial entry for all cheeses over 5 lb (2.3 kg) at the San Diego–Tijuana border. Enforcement was combined with educational outreach. Border crossers importing cheese and those not importing cheese were surveyed at the beginning and end of the temporary enforcement period. Data collected included participant demographic information, knowledge of QF-associated health risks, and attitudes and practices regarding QF consumption and importation. We surveyed 306 importers and 381 nonimporters. Compared with nonimporters, importers had a lower level of knowledge regarding QF-associated health risks (P < 0.0001). Border crossers carrying cheese were more likely to have less education, be U.S. or dual residents, consume QF more frequently, and cross the border less often. Importation and consumption of unpasteurized QF remained prevalent among border crossers during the temporary enforcement period, and the level of knowledge regarding QF-associated risks remained low among these crossers. More vigorous, sustained messaging targeted at high-risk groups is needed to change behaviors. Definition and consistent enforcement of limits will likely be needed to reduce QF importation and the risk of QF-associated diseases along the U.S.–Mexico border; however, public health benefits will need to be balanced against the cost of enforcement.

An Outbreak of Brucellosis: An Adult and Pediatric Case Series

“…This could be explained by the findings of DCHHS upon case interviews where 67% of the patients were unaware that the consumed cheese was unpasteurized, suggesting that individuals failed to report ingestion of unpasteurized cheese simply because they were uninformed [21]. A study by Nguyen et al [22] reported that 57% of border crossers that imported cheese reported the cheese to be pasteurized, 27% were unsure of pasteurization, and only 16% reported that the cheese was unpasteurized. In our 10-year review, it was observed that approximately half of our patients reported no recent travel, which is less than other US studies [11, 14].…”