Tag: queso fresco

Recalls and Alerts: February 9, 2024

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.


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United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a deadly decade-long Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has been traced to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. of Modesto, California. Twenty-six outbreak cases have been confirmed in eleven states since mid-2014; twenty-three of the victims required hospitalization. The outbreak strain has been recovered from a sample of cotija cheese and from an environmental sample collected by FDA investigators during their inspection of the manufacturing facility. Multiple recalls have been announced. The FDA has assembled a list of 2024 recalls of food products associated with this outbreak. The list will be updated as additional recalls are announced.

Public Health Alert (Listeria outbreak): FSIS issues Public Health Alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry burrito products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated dairy products that have been recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh Express recalls Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad Kit (10.3 oz; Package code G364 & G002; Use by 1/14/2024 & 1/17/2024 (Package); Use by 3/3/2024 (condiment pack); UPC 681131305129) and Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit (12.1 oz; Package codes S353 – S363 and S002 – S033; Use by 1/6/2024 – 1/18/2024 and 1/21/2024 – 2/20/2024 (Package); Use by 2/28/2024 – 4/4/2024 (condiment pack); UPC 071279309026) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Ready Pac Foods, Inc. recalls four salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh & Ready Foods recalls four torta sandwiches (distributed between 01/21/2024 and 02/06/2024 and sold exclusively in locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): BrightFarms Inc. recalls BrightFarms Southwest Chipotle Crunch Kit (5.85 oz; Best by 12/31/23 – 2/22/24; UPC 8-50051-82500-4) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. recalls multiple Dole-branded and private label salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Zingerman’s Bakehouse recalls Zingerman’s Bakehouse Black Magic Brownie, Individually Packaged (4 oz; Lots 355 & 356; Sell by 2/11 & 2/12; UPC 844397000706) and Zingerman’s Bakehouse Black Magic Brownie 4 Pack (1 lb; Lots 355 & 356; Sell by 2/11 & 2/12; UPC 844397008795) due to undeclared walnuts.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Viva Raw recalls VIVA for cats duck (1 lb; Lot 22853), VIVA for dogs Chunked duck (1 lb; Lot 22853 11:04 1), VIVA for dogs GROUND duck (1 lb; Lot 22853) and VIVA PURE duck PETFOODMIXER (1 lb; Lot 22853) after being advised that the FDA found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the product.

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Canada

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh Express Incorporated recalls Fresh Express brand Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit (343g; All Best Before dates from Jan-08-24 up to and including Feb-22-24; UPC 0 71279 30951 4) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Dole Canada Company recalls certain Dole and President’s Choice brands of salad kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: OGGI Foods Inc. recalls OGGI brand Americana Pizza made with Beyond Meat (390g; Lot 23 200; Best before 2024 JL 19; UPC 6 28451 68477 0) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Marché Al-Hilal (Montréal, QC) recalls BURGER DE POULET / Chicken burger (All lots) due to undeclared egg, sesame, wheat and soy.

Allergy Alert: Charcuterie Noël (Montréal, QC) recalls SMOKED MEAT DE PORC FABRICATION ARTISANAL / Old-fashioned smoked pork and SMOKED MEAT BŒUF FABRICATION ARTISANAL / Old-fashioned smoked beef (All lots) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert: BOSSA Prêt à manger (Montréal, QC) recalls multiple products due to undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Avril (Québec, QC) recalls Sand. poulet noix ble entie / Chicken sandwich on whole wheat (Best before 11 février 2024) due to possible E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall: La fromagerie Qualité Summum (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) recalls various cheeses (Sold up to 8 February 2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of metal). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

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Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Norway): The Norwegian Food Safety Authority reports that between November 2023 and January 2024, several infants aged 5-6 months old fell ill after consuming products manufactured by Den Sorte Havre. The illnesses have been traced to the presence of Bacillus cereus toxins in the implicated products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Charles NV recalls Charles brand Salami classic (150g; Best before 14/02/2024, 27/02/2024 & 12/03/2024) due to undeclared milk, soy and mustard.

Allergy Alert (France): PRO NATURA recalls ProNatura brand Noix de cajou grillées au curry / Grilled cashews with curry (6 x 250g; Multiple Lot codes; Best before between 31/01/2024 and 29/11/2024) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (France): PRO NATURA recalls Bioday brand Noix de cajou grillées au curry / Grilled cashews with curry (125g x 12 and 100g x 12; Best before between 31/01/2024 and 21/08/2024 and between 30/03/2024 and 23/10/2024, respectively) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Germany): AL HASNAA Group & HEKAYAD UG recalls Hekayat Sity – Moghrabieh CousCous / Moroccan couscous (800g; Lot N 2302219; Expiry to end 02/2025) due to undeclared wheat.

Allergy Alert (Italy): Euroverde soc. agr. S.r.l. recalls GOOD CHOICE brand  Zuppa alla Toscana (620g; Lot 237022; Best before 25/02/2024) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Romania): CONTEC FOODS SRL recalls American Dip KFC (325g; All lot codes) due to undeclared gluten (wheat).

Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILET DE HARENG FUMES DOUX / Smoked herring filet (Lots 2095408, 2095955, 2096550; Use by 31/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILET DE HARENG FUMES DOUX / Smoked herring filet (Lot 2099138; Use by 09/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): MERICQ recalls FILETS MAQUEREAU FUMES POIVRE / Smoked mackerel with pepper (Lot 2096552 & 2097178; Use by 04/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): ETABLISSEMENTS BEILLEVAIRE recalls BEILLEVAIRE brand Fromage Mojette / Cheese (Lot MO02924; Best before 14/03/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): COOPERATIVE U recalls U brand Boudin noir oignon, 3x / Black sausage with onion, 3-pack (375g; Lot E3546130; Use by 13/02/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SA SARA recalls poules entières , cuisses, filet et ailes / Whole raw chickens, legs, filets, and wings (Lot 00005825; Multiple Use-by dates) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN recalls POUCE brand DINDE / Turkey (1 kg; Lot 0344168624; Use by 28/01/2024) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Salumificio Volpi recalls SALAME NAPOLI (80g; Lots L231220, L231227, L240103, L240105; Best before 08.02.2024, 15.02.2024, 22.02.2024, 24.02.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall Update (UK): Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd recalls various Lancashire Cheese products (All Use by dates up to 05 February 2024) due to possible shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Singapore): Li Chuan Food Products Pte Ltd recalls Li Chuan’s Seafood Roll (750g; Expiry date 7 Jan 2026; Product of Vietnam) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Tea Wysotsky (Israel) Ltd recalls Zita brand Green Shakshuka (420g; All batches and date codes; Product of Italy) due to foreign matter contamination.

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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

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Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

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Recalls and Alerts (USA and Canada only): February 8, 2024

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.


“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:

Amazon
Apple
Audible
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating a deadly decade-long Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has been traced to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. of Modesto, California. Twenty-six outbreak cases have been confirmed in eleven states since mid-2014; twenty-three of the victims required hospitalization. The outbreak strain has been recovered from a sample of cotija cheese and from an environmental sample collected by FDA investigators during their inspection of the manufacturing facility. Multiple recalls have been announced. Please see below for details.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Rizo-López Foods, Inc. recalls multiple cheese, yogurt, and sour cream products 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, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Simply Fresh LLC recalls Rojos Black Bean 6 Layer Dip (2/20oz round plastic container; Best if used by Feb 06 2024, Feb 14 2024, Feb 16 2024, Feb 21 2024, Feb 23 2024, Feb 29 2024, Mar 02 2024, Mar 07 2024, Mar 09 2024, Mar 14 2024, Mar 21 2024, Mar 22 2024) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. recalls certain cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, cilantro dressing and one taco kit due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products, which were distributed to retail outlets including Costco, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s and Albertson’s in the following states: CA, CT, FL, ID, IL, MD, MT, NJ, NV, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, and WA.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Trader Joe’s recalls Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292), Trader Joe’s Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420), Trader Joe’s Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768), and Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad (SKU 56077) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Albertsons Companies recalls five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products.

Public Health Alert: FSIS issues public health alert for Trader Joe’s Chicken, Lentil, & Caramelized Onion Pilaf WITH SAFFRON BASMATI RICE, DARK CHICKEN MEAT, DATES & GOLDEN RAISINS (14-oz. plastic packages; Produced on various dates from November 1, 2023, through January 19, 2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (rocks). The specified product is no longer available for sale. Consumers who may have purchased the product should check their freezers.

Allergy Alert: Richelieu Foods Inc. recalls 365 Whole Foods Market Vegan Ultimate Veggie Thin Crust Pizza (13.7 oz; Lot code 06152024; Best by 6/15/2024) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Summer Fresh Salads Inc. recalls Wegmans Harissa Hummus Topped With Harissa (10.5 oz; Lots 240239 and 240309; Expiry dates 03/19/2024 and 03/26/2024, respectively) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall: Nam & Son of MD recalls Soybean sprouts (1-lb bags; Sell by December 21, 2023) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: The Quaker Oats Company expands its earlier recall to include one additional granola bar due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of recalled products.

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Canada

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Taylor Fresh Canada Foods, ULC recalls President’s Choice brand Chopped Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad Kit (285g; All best before dates up to and including 2024 FE 19; UPC 0 60383 03491 7) and Taylor Farms brand Mexican Style Street Corn Salad Kit (2 x 335g; All best before dates up to and including 24 FE 19; UPC 0 30223 06191 5) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Listeria outbreak): Simply Fresh Foods LLC. recalls Rojo’s brand Black Bean 6 Layer Dip (2 x 1.13 kg; Best before 24 FE 06, 24 FE 14, 24 FE 23, 24 FE 29, 24 MR 07, 24 MR 14, 24 MR 15; UPC 0 44276 01842 0) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Bauman’s Country Meat Shop recalls Bauman’s Country Meat Shop brand Large Summer Sausage (~7 lb; Best before 2024.AU10) and Bauman’s Country Meat Shop brand Small Summer Sausage (~3 lb; Best before 2024.AU10) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
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Smashwords
Chapters/Indigo
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FDA identifies source of decade-long Listeria outbreak

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) have identified queso fresco and cotija cheese manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods (Modesto, CA) as the source of a deadly outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses that has gone unsolved for almost ten years.

Since June 2014, the outbreak has caused twenty-six illnesses, including two deaths. Twenty-three of the outbreak victims required hospitalization. Confirmed cases have been reported in eleven states.

The CDC investigated this outbreak twice before (in 2017 and 2021). Although epidemiological evidence pointed to queso fresco and other similar cheeses as the likely source at that time, health authorities were unable to trace the illnesses to a specific manufacturer.

The breakthrough came in January 2024, when the Hawaii State Department of Health found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija cheese.

In response to the finding, the company recalled the contaminated production batch, and the FDA initiated an inspection of the Modesto, California, manufacturing facility.

While the inspection has not yet been completed, the FDA revealed yesterday (February 6, 2024) that it had recovered Listeria monocytogenes from an environmental sample collected at the plant. Whole genome sequencing carried out on the strain recovered from both the cotija sample and the environmental sample revealed that these were a match for the outbreak strain that has been circulating since 2014.

Rizo Lopez has now expanded its initial recall to encompass 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. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

As is often the case, the manufacturer’s recall has triggered secondary recalls.

  • Simply Fresh LLC recalled Rojo’s Black Bean 6 Layer Dip 2-20oz Club Pack (multiple Use-by date codes), because the product contains cotija cheese supplied by Rizo Lopez.
  • Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. has recalled certain cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, cilantro dressing and one taco kit that contain a cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo Lopez.

It is likely that additional secondary recalls will follow.

What to do?

The FDA offers this guidance to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:

  • Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled brands of cheeses, sour creams (cremas), or yogurts manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
  • Check your refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and throw them away. If you froze a product without the original packaging and can’t tell if it is part of the recall, throw it away.
  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled products, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.  
  • If you have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.

At-risk individuals should pay special attention to the following:

  • Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
  • Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a Listeria infection.
TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
Chapters/Indigo