Recall of Rizo-López Foods cheeses, crema & yogurt due to Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

For up-to-date information and affected products and their photos, please visit: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024.

Modesto, California – On February 6, 2024, Rizo-López Foods recalled all cheeses and other dairy products made its facility (more than 60 products) because they could potentially be be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Based on information shared by the CDC and FDA, Rizo-López Foods may be a potential source of illness in an ongoing nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.

The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and crema (similar to sour cream). They were distributed nationwide by Rizo-López Foods and through distributors.

Products were sold at retail deli counters, that include, but are not limited to: El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana, and Numero Uno Markets.

Products were sold nationwide under these brands: Campesino, Casa Cardenas, Don Francisco, Dos Ranchitos, El Huache, Food City, La Ordena, Rio Grande, Rizo Bros, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Tio Francisco, and 365 Whole Foods Market.

The recalled products were sold at more than 600 Walmart stores in 12 states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Wisconsin. They were also sold at 28 Sam's Club locations in six states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming

Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for any of the products listed at this link: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024 and dispose of them. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-833-296-2233, which will be monitored 24 hours a day.

This recall is being carried out with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Statistics related to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, as of February 6, 2024 include 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, 2 deaths, and 11 states affected: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.

What You Should Do
• Do not eat any recalled cheeses or dairy products.
• Throw products away or return products to where you bought them.
• Clean the refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

Call a healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms after eating recalled products:
• Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
• People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

What Businesses Should Do
• Do not sell or serve recalled cheeses or dairy products.
• Follow the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice if you sold or served recalled products.

Listeria Symptoms

Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, age 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. This is because Listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.

For people who are pregnant, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn. Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

For people who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system, Listeria often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day, or as late as 10 weeks after. People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.