SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Federal health officials are conducting an investigation, and a company is voluntarily recalling all its dairy products after a multi-state listeria outbreak that has killed two people and hospitalized 23 others.
Federal authorities have been investigating a 10-year outbreak of listeria infections linked to Hispanic-style fresh cheeses that have killed at least two people and sickened dozens more. Epidemiological evidence traced the bacterial outbreak to cheeses like queso fresco and cotija, but investigators had been unable to pinpoint a source until recently.
The FDA began an on-site inspection of the California-based Rizo Lopez Foods facility after patients were hospitalized from reportedly eating the company’s Don Francisco brand queso fresco or cotija, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The company originally recalled its queso fresco and similar cheeses after an investigation made a potential link to listeria monocytogenes infections dating back to 2017. The company expanded that recall to its entire line of dairy products following the results of a sample taken by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January, according to the FDA.
While the results of that investigation are still being processed, a sample test of the company’s aged cotija returned positive for listeria, leading to the full recall on Tuesday.
The expanded recall by California-based Rizo Lopez Foods now covers all cheeses, yogurts and creams sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros and others.
The products were sold at grocery stores nationwide under a variety of names, which Rizo Lopez Foods in a statement said included deli counters at El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana, and Numero Uno Markets, noting that the list is not inclusive of all potential retailers.
Cases of listeria with potential links to the cheese have been confirmed in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Listeria is a bacteria that can cause fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea — and is most dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.
Two illnesses tied to the outbreak occurred during pregnancy, with one resulting in fetal loss, according to the CDC.
The company ceased production and distribution of its cheeses and dairy products pending the ongoing investigation.
Consumers who experience symptoms are urged to contact their health care providers first to receive care. Illnesses or complaints can be reported to the FDA’s Consumer Complaint Coordinators. More information is available on the administration’s website.
Product falling within the recall should be disposed of or returned to the retailer, according to the FDA.
Recall affects dairy products sold under these names:
- Tio Francisco
- Rizo Bros
- Food City
- San Carlos
- Casa Cardenas
- Campesino
- Santa Maria
- El Huache,
- La Ordena,
- San Carlos
- Don Francisco
- Rio Grande
- Dos Ranchitos
- 365 Whole Foods Market
Detailed information about the products is available on the FDA’s website.
