Listeria Outbreak That Caused 2 Deaths Linked to Recalled Dairy Products, CDC Says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert concerning recalled dairy products potentially linked to a widespread listeria outbreak, resulting in 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and two fatalities across eleven states.

Rizo-López Foods, based in Modesto, California, initiated a voluntary recall of all cheeses and other dairy items manufactured at its facility due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall, announced on Monday, encompasses products such as cheese, yogurt, and sour cream.

Listeria Sample Detected in Cheese, Other Dairy Products

(Photo: TAMI CHAPPELL/AFP via Getty Images)

Newly acquired evidence has connected products from Rizo-López Foods to an outbreak initially detected nearly a decade ago, in June 2014. The CDC's investigation into the outbreak spans multiple years, with incidents occurring as recently as 2020 in Texas and 2017 in California.

Despite previous investigations in 2017 and 2021, the specific source of the outbreak remained elusive until the recent discovery of the outbreak strain in a cheese sample from Rizo-López Foods.

The recent probe was reignited in response to findings by Hawaiian officials, who detected listeria in a sample of Rizo Brothers Aged Cotija. Consequently, a limited recall was issued on January 11, which has since expanded to include various dairy products under different brand names.

The dairy products were marketed under various brand names including Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, 365 Whole Foods Market, San Carlos, Food City, La Ordena, Campesino, Dos Ranchitos, Santa Maria, Casa Cardenas, and El Huache

These recalled items were distributed across several states, including California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.

Major retailers affected by the recall include Walmart and Sam's Club, with products also sold at deli counters in stores like El Super, Numero Uno Markets, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, La Michoacana, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, and Cardenas Market,

Alert for Consumers

Consumers are strongly advised to discard any recalled products and sanitize surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with them.

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the contamination, can persist in refrigerated environments and pose severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of listeria infection typically manifest within two weeks of consuming contaminated food and may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. While some individuals recover without medical intervention, severe cases can result in hospitalization or even death.

The CDC emphasizes that the true extent of the outbreak may be underestimated, as not all cases are reported or tested.

The FDA and CDC continue to urge consumers to remain vigilant, refrain from consuming recalled products, and seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms of listeriosis.

Efforts to contain the outbreak are ongoing, with both federal agencies monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as new information becomes available. In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard their health.