Dallas, Texas – Rizo-López Foods Inc. has issued a recall of over 60 dairy products, including popular Super Bowl snacks like queso fresco and Cotija cheese, due to a multistate listeria outbreak. This outbreak has resulted in 23 hospitalizations and two deaths. The CDC has advised against consuming any of the recalled products, which were distributed nationwide under various brand names.
These brand names include 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. Those who have purchased these products are urged to dispose of them and clean their refrigerators and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled items to prevent the spread of listeria.
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for the outbreak, can cause severe, potentially fatal infections in vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant individuals who become infected with listeria are at risk of miscarriages and stillbirths. The symptoms of listeria infection in healthy individuals may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, nausea, stomachache, or diarrhea.
As of now, the CDC has reported 26 cases of listeria infection in 11 states, with two deaths occurring in California and Texas. The source of the outbreak, queso fresco and Cotija cheese made by Rizo-López Foods, was identified through recent interviews with affected individuals and facility screenings. This is not the first recall of Rizo-López Foods Inc. products related to listeria, as the company had previously recalled its aged Cotija cheese in early January.
The scale of the outbreak may be larger than reported, as some individuals recover from listeria without seeking medical care and are not tested for the infection. The CDC is collaborating with the US Food and Drug Administration to continue investigating the outbreak and its impact. Consumers who have experienced symptoms related to listeria after consuming the recalled dairy products should seek immediate medical attention and can also reach out to Rizo-López Foods Inc. directly with any questions.