Posted 3/8/2024, 6:33:06 PM
Two Dead, 23+ Hospitalized in Decade-Old Listeria Outbreak Traced to California Cheese Producer
- Cheese products from California-based Rizo-Lopez Foods recalled due to decade-old listeria outbreak that's caused 2 deaths and 23+ hospitalizations
- Wisconsin-based Sargento has recalled shredded cheese varieties that were supplied by Rizo-Lopez and sold to food service groups in 15 states
- Rizo-Lopez is a small Mexican dairy producer that supplies ingredients to major brands like Dole, Trader Joe's, Safeway, etc.
- Soft cheeses like queso fresco identified as potential source of outbreak as early as 2017
- Listeria can be fatal, especially dangerous for pregnant women and elderly; symptoms may take up to 10 weeks to emerge