Costco, Trader Joe’s, and several other retailers have issued recalls for numerous products due to potential listeria contamination, which can be fatal for some individuals if consumed. The listeria outbreak is connected to cheese and other dairy items produced by Rizo López Foods, a company based in Modesto, California. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that at least two people have died as a result of the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the fatalities, but did not disclose where the affected individuals bought the tainted products.
Rizo López Foods has voluntarily recalled all cheeses and dairy products manufactured at its facility, totaling around 60 items, due to potential listeria contamination. These items were sold nationally, including at Trader Joe’s and Costco. Both grocery chains have issued their own product recalls in response to the Rizo López listeria outbreak.
The list of recalled items from Costco includes the Chicken Street Taco Kit, Rojo’s 6 Layer Dip, Don Pancho Cilantro Lime Crema, Don Pancho Crema Trio Pack, and Southwest Chicken Wrap with Sauce, along with similar items from Trader Joe’s. Consumers who have purchased these items are advised not to consume them and should contact either Trader Joe’s or Costco for a full refund.
In addition to the above, the FDA has highlighted the recall of queso fresco, cotija cheese, and various other dairy products sold under different brand names at retailers and deli counters nationwide. A comprehensive list of the recalled products is available on the FDA website. Rizo-López Foods announced the recall of approximately 60 cheese and dairy products following their connection to a long-term listeria outbreak that resulted in two fatalities and numerous illnesses.
The listeria outbreak, which has affected at least 26 people in 11 states and led to 23 hospitalizations, has been linked to illnesses dating back to June 2014. Two individuals, one in California and another in Texas, passed away after consuming the contaminated products. Subsequent to new illnesses reported in December 2023, the CDC and FDA reopened the investigation. In January 2024, a sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for the same strain of listeria identified in the original outbreak. The CDC also confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain of listeria at Rizo Lopez Foods’s facility during an FDA on-site inspection.
The CDC has emphasized that consumers should not consume the recalled products and should dispose of any such items at home. Additionally, they should thoroughly clean any refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products. Individuals with inquiries can contact the company at 1-833-296-2233, which is available 24 hours a day.
Listeria is a bacteria that is commonly found in water, soil, and animal waste. It has the ability to contaminate various types of foods and can survive refrigeration. When consumed, listeria can cause listeriosis, an infection which poses a particular threat to older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Listeria infection ranks as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S.
Symptoms of listeria infection include vomiting, fever, headache, muscle aches, neck stiffness, fatigue, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. In pregnant individuals, symptoms may be limited to fever, muscle aches, and tiredness, however, it can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in a newborn. Symptoms typically manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, but may appear as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks afterward. Consumers who experience such symptoms following the consumption of a recalled product are urged to seek medical attention promptly.
