The Region : Investigators Search Jalisco a 2nd Time

District attorney’s investigators made a second search of the Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. in Artesia, this time concentrating on how the cheese manufacturer’s equipment was set up and used. Investigators paid particular attention to pasteurization machinery, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Tom Papageorge, head of the district attorney’s consumer protection unit. Deadly Listeria monocytogenes bacteria found in Jalisco products has been blamed for 84 deaths in California in the last several months, half of them in the Los Angeles area. The district attorney is investigating the firm for possible misdemeanor and felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy, according to Papageorge. Among other things, the investigation is aimed at finding out whether Jalisco deliberately used non-pasteurized milk in making its cheeses. Investigators seized numerous records during another search of the plant in June, shortly after discovery of the bacteria.