Health officials in California are urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for a wide variety of dairy products that may be contaminated with listeria, a bacterium that can cause serious illness. The products, including popular Super Bowl snacks like queso fresco and Cotija cheese, had been distributed nationwide under several brand names, leading to a multistate listeria outbreak that has resulted in 23 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Rizo-López Foods Inc. is the company responsible for the more than 60 recalled products, which were sold under various brand names such as Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, and Rio Grande. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises consumers not to eat any of the recalled products and to dispose of them immediately. Additionally, individuals should clean their refrigerators and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products, as listeria can survive in the refrigerator and spread to other foods and surfaces.
The bacterium poses a particularly high risk to young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant individuals who become infected with listeria are also at risk of miscarriages and stillbirths, while healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and stomach discomfort. Symptoms typically manifest within two weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Healthcare providers advise consumers who may have consumed the recalled dairy products and are experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. The CDC has reported 26 cases of listeria infection across 11 states, leading to two deaths in California and Texas. Despite previous investigations, the source of the outbreak remained unidentified until recent interviews with affected individuals and facility screenings pointed to Rizo-López Foods Inc. products as the source of the illnesses.
This is not the first time that Rizo-López Foods Inc. has been linked to listeria-related recalls, according to the CDC. The company previously recalled its products due to listeria contamination, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by this bacteria in food production. Health officials and consumers alike must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of illness caused by listeria and other foodborne pathogens.