Monday, February 12, 2024

Multiple Recalls Issued After Using Recalled Cheese with Potential Listeria Contamination

With the expanded recall of Rizo-Lopez cheese products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, there have been 15 additional recalls issued from FDA regulated companies and one USDA regulated company that used these cheese products as components in their own food products (salads, taco kits, etc).  (recalls listed below)

The cheese product from this company, Rizo Lopez Foods' has been linked to an multi-year Listeria outbreak.  This product was not only sold in retail channels, but was used by multiple manufactures as part of products that are considered RTE - ready to eat.  

From a downstream processor's perspective, this is not only an issue from direct use of a contaminated product, but also the fact that having this cheese in the operation serves as a source of cross contamination in the operation.

As part of these downstream processors Food Safety Plan, they would be required to have a Supply Chain Preventive Control in place for this supplier.  There would be a requirement for those companies to ensure that the supplier, Rizo Lopez Foods, had a robust environmental monitoring program and potentially, would have also been testing product as part of their verification procedures.  This is a lot of extra eyes that could have potentially caught this.

Granted, low level contamination issues can be difficult to catch through product testing.  The biggest verification control is that producers environmental monitoring program.  This should give companies pause to consider how robust a supplier's environmental monitoring program is with regard to Listeria for a high risk product application like soft cheese being used in RTE applications.


Rizo-López Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Dairy Products Because of Possible Health Risk
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-voluntarily-recalls-dairy-products-because-possible-health-risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date :February 05, 2024
FDA Publish Date: February 06, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages  Dairy
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

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.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-and-fresh-creations-foods-along-fda-have-issued-recall-all-chicken-street-taco-meal
Rizo-López Foods and Fresh Creations Foods, Along with the FDA, Have Issued a Recall of All Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit Units Due to the Potential Contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes
February 12, 2024 - Rizo-López Foods and Fresh Creations Foods, along with the FDA, have issued a recall of all Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit Units due to the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. The select meals and kits include crema cup which contain a recalled cheese ingredient. Product was sold in Sprouts stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Save Mart, Lucky, and Lucky California Stores Recall Service Deli Chicken Street Taco Kit Because of Possible Health Risk
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/save-mart-lucky-and-lucky-california-stores-recall-service-deli-chicken-street-taco-kit-because
February 9, 2024 – The Save Mart Companies has recalled all lot and date codes of Chicken Street Taco Kits sold in Save Mart, Lucky, and Lucky California store service delis, as they include a cup of crema sauce containing cotija cheese produced and recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods.

Stater Bros. Markets Recalls Chicken Street Taco Kit Because of Possible Health Risk
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/stater-bros-markets-recalls-chicken-street-taco-kit-because-possible-health-risk
Feb. 9, 2024 — Stater Bros. Markets is voluntarily recalling 768 units of CHICKEN STREET TACO KIT with All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024, supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The Chicken Street Taco kit contains a recalled cheese ingredient in the crema cup supplied by Rizo-López Foods, Inc.

The Perfect Bite Co. Issues Voluntary Recall of Mexican Style Street Corn Bite Containing Cotija Cheese Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/perfect-bite-co-issues-voluntary-recall-mexican-style-street-corn-bite-containing-cotija-cheese-due
February 10, 2024 - The Perfect Bite Co. of 747 W. Wilson Ave, Glendale, CA, is voluntarily recalling its MEXICAN STYLE STREET CORN BITE, which contains Cotija Cheese

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of Salad Kits Due to Possible Health Risk from Listeria Monocytogenes
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-inc-announces-voluntary-recall-limited-number-salad-kits-due-possible-health
February 8, 2024–Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling from the market a limited number of Dole-branded and private label salad kits described below, which were processed on the same line as a cheese that has been recalled by the manufacturer, Rizo-Lopez Foods

Albertsons Companies Voluntarily Recalls Five ReadyMeals and Store-Made Taco Kits Containing a Recalled Cheese Ingredient Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-five-readymeals-and-store-made-taco-kits-containing
Feb. 8, 2024 — Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The select meals and kits contain a recalled cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo-López Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.

Taylor Fresh Foods Voluntarily Recalls Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Salad Kit Made with Ingredient Packets Containing Cheese as Part of the Expanded Recall from Rizo-López Foods, Inc.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-fresh-foods-voluntarily-recalls-marketside-bacon-ranch-crunch-salad-kit-made-ingredient
February 9, 2024 – Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Salad Kit made with ingredient packets containing cheese as part of the expanded recall from Rizo-López Foods, Inc.

Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary Recall of Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kit Due to Containing Potential Cross-Contaminated Cheese Linked to Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/braga-fresh-issues-voluntary-recall-marketside-bacon-ranch-crunch-chopped-salad-kit-due-containing
February 9, 2024 – Braga Fresh is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kits containing recalled cheese that contains Listeria monocytogenes

Fresh & Ready Foods Voluntarily Recalls Four Torta Sandwiches Containing Cotija Cheese Distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-ready-foods-voluntarily-recalls-four-torta-sandwiches-containing-cotija-cheese-distributed
February 9, 2024 - Fresh & Ready Foods is voluntarily recalling four torta sandwiches that contain cotija cheese which were sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. This voluntary recall is being initiated as a result of the Rizo-López Foods, Inc. recall of cotija cheese

Fresh Express Issues Recall of Limited Quantities of Two Salad Kits with Condiment Packs Containing Recalled Cheese Due to the Potential Risk of Listeria monocytogenes

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-issues-recall-limited-quantities-two-salad-kits-condiment-packs-containing-recalled
February 8, 2024, Orlando, FL – As a consequence of a recall initiated by a cheese supplier, Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc., Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling two salad kits with condiment packs that contain the recalled cheese, which may pose a potential health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.

Trader Joe’s Recalls Certain Products Containing Cotija Cheese Because They May Be Contaminated With Listeria Monocytogenes
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trader-joes-recalls-certain-products-containing-cotija-cheese-because-they-may-be-contaminated
Trader Joe’s of Monrovia, CA is recalling certain products containing cotija cheese, as the cheese used to make these products has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. Recalls Four Salad Kits Due to Possible Health Risk From Listeria Monocytogenes
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ready-pac-foods-inc-recalls-four-salad-kits-due-possible-health-risk-listeria-monocytogenes
February 8, 2024 -- With the safety of its consumers being a top priority Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of cases of four salad kits as a result of the expanded recall by Rizo-López Foods of certain cheese products

BrightFarms Announces Voluntary Recall of Southwest Chipotle Salad Kit Due to Potential Risk of Listeria Monocytogenes in Cheese From Supplier: Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/brightfarms-announces-voluntary-recall-southwest-chipotle-salad-kit-due-potential-risk-listeria
February 8, 2024) –– In response to a voluntary recall initiated by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. who produces and supplies cheese products, BrightFarms is voluntarily recalling its Southwest Chipotle salad kit with best-by-dates between 12/31/23 and 2/22/24 due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in the Cotija Cheese, an ingredient found in the salad kit.

Fresh Creative Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Dressings and Taco Kit Due to Risk of Listeria in Ingredient From Cheese Supplier: Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-creative-foods-announces-voluntary-recall-dressings-and-taco-kit-due-risk-listeria-ingredient
Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., is voluntarily recalling certain cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, cilantro dressing and one taco kit due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes in a cheese ingredient supplied by RIZO-LÓPEZ FOODS, INC.

Simply Fresh Llc. Voluntarily Recalls Rojos Black Bean Layer Dip 2/20oz Product Because of Possible Health Risk
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/simply-fresh-llc-voluntarily-recalls-rojos-black-bean-layer-dip-220oz-product-because-possible
Feb. 7, 2024 - Simply Fresh LLC. is voluntarily recalling its Rojo’s Black Bean 6 Layer Dip 2-20oz Club Pack. This voluntary recall is being initiated as a result of the Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. recall of cotija cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Simply Fresh used the recalled cotija cheese from Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.External Link Disclaimer in the Rojos Black Bean Layer Dips with the date codes listed in the table below.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-poultry-products-containing-fda-regulated
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Dairy Products That Have Been Recalled Due To Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
SK FOOD GROUP
FSIS Announcement
Editor’s Note: Feb. 9, 2024 – Details of this public health alert were updated to reflect additional products affected by the dairy products that have been recalled due to possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. Check back frequently to see if additional products have been added.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for meat and poultry products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated dairy products that have been recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection, should not be consumed. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently because additional products may be added.

The list of products subject to the public health alert are available here, including information the establishment numbers and states where the products were distributed. The labels are available here.

The problem was discovered when the establishments notified FSIS that they used FDA-regulated dairy products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes to produce the poultry products. FDA is continuing its investigation into the dairy products produced by Rizo-Lopez Foods.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ or retailers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Retailers that have purchased these products are urged not to serve or sell them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

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