Listeria Outbreak Is Linked to Cotija and Other Cheeses, Yogurt, and Sour Cream
Nearly 60 dairy products from Rizo-López Foods have been recalled
More than two dozen people have been sickened in an outbreak of listeria monocytogenes linked to queso fresco, cotija, Oaxaca, and other styles of cheese, as well as yogurt and crema. They were produced by Rizo-López Foods.
The company recalled the products—58 in all—which were sold under several brand names nationwide.
The outbreak is unusual in the sense that people have become ill off and on over the past 10 years from the same strain of listeria. In total, 26 people were sickened and two died. The latest illnesses were reported in January.
(Trader Joe’s also recalled products made with cotija cheese produced by Rizo-López Foods.)
What’s Been Recalled?
The brand names of the products are 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. Find a full list on the FDA website.
The FDA says products were sold at deli counters in stores including Cardenas Market, El Rancho, El Super, Food City, La Michoacana, Northgate Gonzalez, Numero Uno Markets, Superior Groceries, and Vallarta.
If you have recalled products in your refrigerator or freezer, Williams says to call the company’s customer service number at 833-296-2233 to request a refund.
The Risk of Listeria
Although it’s uncommon to have a matching strain of bacteria that spans many years, as is the case with this recall, James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing and acting director of product testing at CR, says that listeria is a hearty pathogen and that once it gets into a facility, “it’s really tough to get rid of it.”
An FDA spokesperson told CR that listeria can easily spread from contaminated equipment or surfaces to food, and if the source of contamination is not identified, it can remain for many years, continue to spread to food, and make people sick.
For most people with listeriosis, the infection caused by listeria, although unpleasant, is likely to resolve on its own. The symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can start as soon as just a few hours after consuming contaminated food or up to two weeks later.
But for 1 in 20 people, the infection can become more serious and turn into an invasive illness with flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and a stiff neck, according to the CDC. Other symptoms can include confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. The CDC estimates that 1,600 people get listeriosis each year and about 260 die.
Editor’s Note: This article, originally published Feb. 7, 2024, has been updated to correct an error. We said that the investigators had previously identified Rizo-López foods as the source of the bacteria that caused the outbreak. Rather, the investigators believed Hispanic-style cheeses, in general, were the source, and only now have brands been identified. Additionally, the article also now includes comment from the FDA.
