- Rizo-López Foods, a California-based cheese and dairy company, is recalling over 60 products nationwide due to a listeria outbreak that has caused two deaths and numerous illnesses.
- The CDC has connected the outbreak, which began in 2014, to products produced by Rizo-López Foods. At least 26 people across 11 states have been affected.
- The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under various brand names, and were sold at Walmart, Sam’s Club, and various other retailers. Consumers are advised to discard these products and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with them.
Additional Coverage:
A California-based cheese and dairy company is recalling over 60 products sold nationwide due to a listeria outbreak that has resulted in two deaths and numerous illnesses, according to federal health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has discovered new evidence connecting the outbreak, first detected in June 2014, to products produced by Rizo-López Foods, located in Modesto, California.
The CDC reports that at least 26 people across 11 states have been affected by the outbreak. One person died in California in 2017, while another death occurred in Texas in 2020. In 2017 and 2021, the CDC conducted investigations into the outbreak but did not have enough information to determine the specific brand involved.
Last month, the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reopened the investigation after listeria was detected in a sample of Rizo Brothers Aged Cotija by Hawaiian officials. This discovery prompted a limited recall on January 11, which has now been expanded.
The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream under various brand names. Rizo-López Foods provided a notice, published by the FDA, listing the affected products. Some of the brand names mentioned are Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market.
These recalled products were sold at more than 600 Walmart stores in 12 states, including 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 Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Deli counters at various retailers, such as El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana, and Numero Uno Markets, also sold the affected products.
Consumers are advised to discard the recalled products immediately. Surfaces and containers that came into contact with these products should be thoroughly sanitized as listeria can survive and spread in refrigerated environments. For inquiries, customers can contact Rizo-López Foods at (833) 296-2233.
The CDC states that pregnant individuals, newborns, those aged 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to listeria infection. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food and may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may also involve symptoms such as headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.