Rizo-Lopez Foods has recalled cotija, cheese, yogurt, and sour cream under many brand-names after an outbreak of Listeria illnesses.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Rizo-Lopez Foods induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with Listeria, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Rizo Lopez Foods
In January 2024, health officials warned about a deadly outbreak of Listeria illnesses dating back to 2014 that have been linked to dairy products made by Rizo Lopez Foods.
The expanded recalls include Rico Chicken Enchiladas and Cheese Enchiladas that were distributed in northern Utah Supermarkets (Smith’s, Harmons, Macey’s The Store, Fresh Markets).
Click here for a complete list of recalls involving dairy products made by Rizo Lopez Foods.
How Many People Got Sick?
At least 2 people died and 23 others were hospitalized since 2014, according to the CDC Outbreak Investigation. The CDC investigated this same outbreak in 2017 and 2021, but there was not enough information at the time to identify a specific brand.
However, in January 2024 a sample of cotija cheese tested positive for the same strain of Listeria that was making people sick.
So far, 26 illnesses have been reported in 11 states between June 2014 and December 2023: California (8), Arizona (4), Colorado (4), Texas (2), Tennessee (2) and Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon and Washington (1 case each).
“Interviews with sick people and recent Listeria findings in cheese and a production facility show that queso fresco and cotija made by Rizo-López Foods are making people in this outbreak sick,” the CDC said in its statement.
Rizo-Lopez Foods Linked to Listeria Outbreak
In February 2024, Rizo-López Foods recalled a variety of dairy products under many brand-names after they were linked to an outbreak of Listeria illnesses, according to health officials.
Rizo-Lopez Foods said it “may be a potential source of illness in an ongoing nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.”
What Foods Were Recalled?
The expanded recall involves cheese, cotija, yogurt, sour cream, ricotta, and Mexican-style dairy products that were sold under the following 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
Secondary Recalls By Other Companies
Many secondary recalls have been issued by companies who sold food items that contained dairy products that were recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, such as:
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- Chicken Street Taco Kit
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- Mexican Style Street Corn Bites
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- Chicken Street Taco Kit
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- Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Kit, Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad Kit
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- Chicken Taco Kits and Meals
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Dole, Marketside, President’s Choice:
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- Salad kits
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Fresh and Ready, Sprig and Sprout, Jack and Olive:
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- Torta sandwiches
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- Bacon Ranch Crunch Salad Kit
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- Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
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- Bright Farms Southwest Chipotle Crunch Kit salad kit
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- Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Cilantro Salad Dressing, Elote Chopped Salad Kit, Southwest Salad
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- Southwest Chopped Salad Kit, Bacon Ranch Crunch Kit, Fresh Mex Chopped Kit, Queso Crunch Salad Kit
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- Black Bean 6 Layer Dip
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- : Cilantro Lime Crema, Everything Sauce Fiesta, Cilantro Cotija dressing, Poblano Caesar dressing, Cilantro Dressing, Street Taco Express Meal Kit
Rizo-Lopez Foods Recalls Cotija Cheese for Listeria Risk
In January 2024, Rizo-Lopez Foods previously recalled aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese after a product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, according to health officials in Hawaii.
Where Was It Sold?
Rizo-Lopez Foods sold the recalled dairy products nationwide at dozens of stores. The products 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, Numero Uno Markets, and many other stores.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal food poisoning. The risk of a severe infection is greatest for young children, elderly adults, and people with vulnerable immune systems. Pregnant women may suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn baby.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, according to the FDA. These symptoms can take up to 70 days to appear after a person eats contaminated food.
Do I have a Rizo-Lopez Foods Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Rizo-Lopez Foods induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with Listeria, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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