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FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

CA Firm Recalls Cheese Products After WGS Reveals Link to Ongoing Listeria Outbreak

The FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.    According to the notice, cases may date back to 2014. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand.  Thus far there have bee 26 total illnesses with 23 hospitalizations and 2 deaths.

Interestingly, Hawaii State Department of Health tested and found Listeria in a sample of product, and a recall was issued on January 11, 2024.  Using whole genome sequencing, they were able to link these additional cases and show that this firm's product was responsible for many cases over many years.  

"A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January 2024.In response to that finding, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled one batch of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) on January 11, 2024. CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023 and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak."

Recalled products include all "Sell By” dates of cheese, yogurt, and sour cream (crema) sold under the brand names:
  • Tio Francisco
  • Don Francisco
  • Rizo Bros
  • Rio Grande
  • Food City
  • El Huache
  • La Ordena
  • San Carlos
  • Campesino
  • Santa Maria
  • Dos Ranchitos
  • Casa Cardenas
  • 365 Whole Foods Market
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese (February 2024)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Rizo Lopez Foods dairy products. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 2
Last Sample Collection Dates: June 15, 2014 - December 10, 2023
States with Cases: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, NC, OR, TN, TX, WA
Product Distribution: Nationwide
Current Update
February 5, 2024

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.

This outbreak includes cases dating back to 2014 and is currently ongoing. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand.

A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January 2024.In response to that finding, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled one batch of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) on January 11, 2024. CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023 and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.

According to CDC, of the 22 people interviewed, 16 (73%) reported eating queso fresco, cotija, or other similar cheeses. Among people who remembered specific brands, three people who got sick between 2014 and 2022 reported Don Francisco brand queso fresco or cotija. Don Francisco is one of the brands of recalled cheeses.




FDA initiated an on-site inspection at Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. FDA’s inspection is still ongoing; however, an environmental sample collected during that inspection tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. WGS analysis of that sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.




In response to this investigation, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. has voluntarily recalled all sell by dates of its dairy products. The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names 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. The firm has temporarily ceased the production and distribution of these products. while their investigation is ongoing.




FDA's investigation is ongoing and FDA will continue to update this advisory as information becomes available.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-voluntarily-recalls-dairy-products-because-possible-health-risk

Rizo-López Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Dairy Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary

Company Announcement Date:

February 05, 2024

FDA Publish Date:

February 06, 2024

Product Type:

Food & Beverages

Dairy

Foodborne Illness

Reason for Announcement:

Expanded recall for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Company Name:

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.

Brand Name:

Rizo Brothers California Creamery

Product Description:

Cheese, Yogurt, Sour cream

Company Announcement

MODESTO, Calif. (February 5, 2024) – Rizo-López Foods, Inc. (“RLF”) is voluntarily recalling its dairy products listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.




Based on information shared by the CDC and FDA, RLF may be a potential source of illness in an ongoing nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.




The recalled products were distributed nationwide by RLF and through distributors. Products also were sold at retail deli counters including, but not limited to, El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana, and Numero Uno Markets.




The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names 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. Representative images of the recalled products are provided below.




Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-833-296-2233, which will be monitored 24 hours a day.




This recall is being carried out with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Search:

Product Description Brand Size UPC Sell By Dates

Blanco Suave Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-05355-6 All dates through 03/23/2024

Cotija Rizo Bros 8 oz 7-27242-00043-7 All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Tio Francisco 12 oz 7-27242-12017-3 All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00517-3 All dates through 7/31/2024

Cotija Food City ~16 oz All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Tio Francisco, San Carlos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija (Grated) Rizo Bros 7 oz 7-27242-14022-5 All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija (Grated) Tio Francisco, Casa Cardenas 9 oz 7-27242-00022-2 & 8-11371-27109-4 All dates through 06/01/2024

Cotija (Grated) Tio Francisco 20 oz 7-27242-00056-7 All dates through 5/2/2024

Cotija Enchilado Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00535-7 All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Enchilado Food City, Casa Cardenas ~16 oz All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Enchilado Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 07/31/2024

Cotija Rallado Tio Francisco 12 oz 7-27242-00021-5 All dates through 7/31/2024

Cotija Rallado Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 07/31/2024

Crema Centroamericana Tio Francisco 16 oz 7-27242-00440-4 All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Centroamericana Tio Francisco, Campesino Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema La Deliciosa Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/22/2024

Crema La Suprema Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/22/2024

Crema Latina Tio Francisco 16 oz 7-27242-35445-5 All dates through 6/1/2024

Crema Latina Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Menonita Campesino Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Mexicana Tio Francisco, Food City, Santa Maria 16 oz 7-27242-00408-4, 7-27242-22410-9, 7-27242-35403-5 All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Mexicana Tio Francisco, Campesino Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Mexicana San Carlos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Mexicana Tio Francisco 32 oz 7-27242-32403-8 All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Nortena Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 06/01/2024

Crema Santa Isabel Centroamericana Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/22/2024

Crema Santa Isabel Latina Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/22/2024

Crema Santa Isabel Mexicana Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/22/2024

Fresco Tio Francisco, San Carlos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/02/2024

Fresco (Michoacano) Tio Francisco, El Huache, La Ordena Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/02/2024

Oaxaca Rizo Bros 8 oz 7-27242-00334-6 All dates through 5/2/2024

Oaxaca Tio Francisco 12 oz 7-27242-12332-7 All dates through 05/02/2024

Oaxaca Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00532-6 All dates through 05/02/2024

Oaxaca Food City ~16 oz All dates through 05/02/2024

Oaxaca Tio Francisco, San Carlos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 05/02/2024

Oaxaca (shred) Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 05/02/2024

Panela Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00550-0 All dates through 3/23/2024

Panela Food City ~16 oz All dates through 3/23/2024

Panela Tio Francisco, San Carlos, Dos Ranchitos, La Ordena, Campesino Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 03/23/2024

Panela Barra Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/02/2024

Queso Crema Food City ~16 oz All dates through 3/23/2024

Queso Crema San Carlos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 03/23/2024

Queso Fresco Rizo Bros 8 oz 7-27242-00159-5 All dates through 04/02/2024

Queso Fresco Don Francisco 10 oz 7-27242-00178-6 All dates through 4/2/2024

Queso Fresco Tio Francisco 12 oz 7-27242-12552-9 All dates through 03/23/2024

Queso Fresco Tio Francisco, Rio Grande 14 oz 7-27242-00552-4, 8-12324-03090-4, 8-12324-03091-1 & 8-12324-03089-8 All dates through 03/23/2024

Queso Fresco Food City ~16 oz All dates through 3/23/2024

Queso Fresco Tio Francisco, Campesino, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/02/2024

Queso Para Freir Tio Francisco ~16 oz All dates through 04/17/2024

Queso Para Freir Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/17/2024

Queso Seco Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00548-8 All dates through 07/31/2024

Requeson Tio Francisco 14 oz 7-27242-00390-6 All dates through 04/02/2024

Requeson Tio Francisco 15 oz 7-27242-00392-6 All dates through 4/2/2024

Requeson Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/02/2024

Ricotta Part Skim 365 Whole Foods Market 15 oz 9-94824-63052 All dates through 04/02/2024

Ricotta Whole Milk 365 Whole Foods Market 15 oz 9-94824-96245 All dates through 4/2/2024

Yogurt (Plain, Strawberry, Peach & Mango) Tio Francisco Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes All dates through 04/17/2024
























































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