Rizo-López Foods, based in Modesto, California, has announced a recall of approximately 4 dozen dairy products, including Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese, due to potential contamination with listeria. The recall encompasses a range of products, including cheese, crema, yogurt, and sour cream, distributed nationwide under various brand names, such as 365 Whole Foods Market, Don Francisco, and Tio Francisco, according to a press release issued by the company.
In addition to retail sales, some of the recalled products were sold at retail deli counters, including establishments like El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana, and Numero Uno Markets, the company stated.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated an investigation after the Hawaii State Department of Health reported a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija cheese in January 2024. This investigation represents a continuation of a multi-year, multi-state inquiry prompted by previously identified listeria outbreaks associated with Rizo-López Foods in 2021 and 2017, with cases dating back to 2014.
The CDC and FDA reopened their investigation in January 2024 after discovering that the strain of listeria found in the cheese sample was consistent with the one responsible for illnesses in earlier outbreaks. As of Tuesday, the outbreak has resulted in 26 reported illnesses, including 2 fatalities and 23 hospitalizations, across 11 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. The illnesses have been documented as far back as 2014, with the most recent case reported in December 2023.
In response to the situation, Rizo-López Foods has temporarily halted production and distribution of the affected products while the investigation remains ongoing, as confirmed by the FDA.
This recall adds to a growing list of products recently recalled due to listeria risks, including BrightFarms spinach and salad kits and Blue Ridge Beef pet foods.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are advised by the CDC and FDA to take the following precautions:
Refrain from consuming any products manufactured by Rizo-López Foods.
Check refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and discard them immediately. If a product was frozen without its original packaging and its recall status cannot be determined, it should also be discarded.
Thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products, as listeria can persist in refrigerators and contaminate other foods and surfaces. Follow FDA guidelines for safe handling and cleaning to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
Complete product descriptions and Universal Product Codes (UPCs) can be found on the FDA’s website for reference.