Listeria Outbreak In Cheeses, Dairy Products Sold At 2 Major Grocery Stores, 2 Deaths And 23 Hospitalized Across 11 States

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By Brooke Mallory
11:08 AM – Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Some of the United States’ dairy products are suspected of being the source of a Listeria outbreak that has claimed two lives and hospitalized 23 others so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to investigators, one of the reported brands, Rizo-Lopez Foods, has voluntarily recalled tainted cheeses, sour cream, and yogurt due to the potentially fatal listeria infection.

Several large chain stores, including Whole Foods and Food City, carry the brands of the cheeses affected.

According to the CDC, in 11 states, 26 Americans in all have become severely ill, and 23 of them have even been admitted to hospitals. Additionally, there have been two confirmed deaths linked to the outbreak: one in Texas and one in California.

The organization is recalling 61 dairy-related products, including yogurt, cheese, sour cream, and crema, which were distributed under 13 different brands that are carried by major grocery stores such as Food City and 365 Whole Foods Market.

The CDC advised consumers to “discard any contaminated goods, thoroughly clean their refrigerator and other surfaces, and see a doctor immediately” if they have any of these symptoms after consuming the above dairy products: fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, pains in the muscles, loss of balance, disorientation, and seizures.

Not all patients were questioned, but the CDC did ask a number of those who were very ill about the items they had consumed within a month of being sick. According to the agency, interviews are also still being conducted.

Out of the 22 patients who underwent interviews, 16 (or 73%) mentioned consuming cotija, queso fresco, or other comparable cheeses.

The age range of the hospital patients was under one year old to 88 years old.

The cheese brand Don Francisco was the most reported brand of cheese consumed by the hospitalized individuals.

Additionally, the organization collected bacterial DNA fingerprint samples for whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS revealed a strong genetic relationship between the bacteria in the samples from the sick patients, indicating that the items the affected individuals consumed most likely contributed to their illness.

At Rizo-Lopez’s facility, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gathered samples and conducted investigations.

The Listeria outbreak strain was also discovered on a container used to store cheeses before they are processed. Eating food infected with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is typically how the bacterial infections are contracted.

The majority of people who consume Listeria-contaminated food will not become severely ill. However, in certain cases, it can still result in mortality, miscarriage in pregnant women, disorientation, and seizures. This can occur if the infection affects the central nervous system in addition to the intestines, which can cause numbness and seizures.

Genetics also play a key role in how one handles Listeria.

According to CDC estimates, each year there are 1,600 Americans with Listeria, and around 260 of them later die from the bacteria.

Products recalled due to listeria contamination 
Product Name  Brand 
Blanco Suave Tio Francisco 
Cotija  Food City 
Cotija  Rizo Bros 
Cotija  San Carlos 
Cotija  Tio Francisco 
Cotija (Grated)  Casa Cardenas 
Cotija (Grated)  Rizo Bros 
Cotija (Grated)  Tio Francisco 
Cotija Enchilado  Casa Cardenas 
Cotija Enchilado  Food City 
Cotija Enchilado  Tio Francisco 
Cotija Rallado  Tio Francisco 
Crema Centroamericana  Campesino 
Crema Centroamericana  Tio Francisco 
Crema La Deliciosa  Tio Francisco 
Crema La Suprema  Tio Francisco 
Crema Latina  Tio Francisco 
Crema Latina  Tio Francisco 
Crema Menonita  Campesino 
Crema Mexicana  Campesino 
Crema Mexicana  Food City 
Crema Mexicana  San Carlos 
Crema Mexicana  Santa Maria 
Crema Mexicana  Tio Francisco 
Crema Nortena  Tio Francisco 
Crema Santa Isabel Centroamericana  (No brand name) 
Crema Santa Isabel Latina  (No brand name) 
Crema Santa Isabel Mexicana  (No brand name) 
Fresco  San Carlos 
Fresco  Tio Francisco 
Fresco (Michoacano)  El Huache 
Fresco (Michoacano)  La Ordena 
Fresco (Michoacano)  Tio Francisco 
Oaxaca  Food City 
Oaxaca  Rizo Bros 
Oaxaca  San Carlos 
Oaxaca  Tio Francisco 
Oaxaca (Shredded)  Tio Francisco 
Panela  Campesino 
Panela  Dos Ranchitos 
Panela  Food City 
Panela  La Ordena 
Panela  San Carlos 
Panela  Tio Francisco 
Panela Barra  Tio Francisco 
Queso Crema  Food City 
Queso Crema  San Carlos 
Queso Fresco  Campesino 
Queso Fresco  Don Francisco 
Queso Fresco  Dos Ranchitos 
Queso Fresco  Food City 
Queso Fresco  Rio Grande 
Queso Fresco  Rizo Bros 
Queso Fresco  San Carlos 
Queso Fresco  Santa Maria 
Queso Fresco  Tio Francisco 
Queso Para Freir  Tio Francisco 
Queso Seco  Tio Francisco 
Requeson  Tio Francisco 
Ricotta (Whole or Part Skim Milk)  365 Whole Foods Market 
Yogurt (Plain, Strawberry, Peach & Mango)  Tio Francisco 

 

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