Sargento Cheese Recalls Products Linked to Decade-Old Listeria Outbreak

Public health officials are currently investigating an ongoing listeria outbreak, which has led to the voluntary recall of cheese products from a California-based manufacturer. The outbreak has been linked to Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc., prompting the latest affected company, Wisconsin-based Sargento cheese, to take immediate action.

Voluntary Recall and Affected Products

Sargento cheese has voluntarily recalled products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc., specifically targeting items sold to food service groups in 15 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. The affected products had best-by dates listed between March and June 2024.

Termination of Relationship and Impact

Sargento cheese has terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez, a small manufacturer of Mexican dairy products, after discovering the potential contamination issue. The brand, known for its shredded Italian-style cheese varieties, assured consumers that products sold in grocery stores were not impacted by the outbreak. However, as a precautionary measure, they opted to recall any products packaged on the same factory lines as Rizo-Lopez items.

Scope of the Outbreak and Health Risks

Linked to a decade-long listeria outbreak first detected in June 2014, the Rizo-Lopez contamination has resulted in two deaths and at least 23 hospitalizations across the country. Listeria, known as Listeria monocytogenes, can be fatal and poses a significant risk, especially to pregnant and elderly individuals. The CDC reports that approximately 260 people die each year after being sickened by listeria.

Consumer Guidance and Warnings

Health officials are advising consumers not to consume the affected products and to check the FDA website for the latest information on impacted items in their refrigerators or freezers. Additionally, individuals who have purchased the recalled items for either home or commercial use are urged to clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers the products may have come into contact with.

Investigation and Concerns

A decade-old investigation into the listeria outbreak was recently reopened after the CDC identified soft cheeses like queso fresco as a potential source of the contamination. The CDC emphasized the complexity of detecting listeria due to the delay between consuming the contaminated food and experiencing symptoms, which can range from the same day of consumption to up to 10 weeks later in milder cases.

Industry Impact and Affected Brands

Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. provides dairy products for various brands, including Dole, H-E-B, La Ordena, Trader Joe’s, and 365 Whole Foods Market. Moreover, their products are also sold under unbranded labels in taco kits, wraps, and meals at retailers such as Albertsons, Costco, Safeway, Stater Bros. Markets, and Vons.

The ongoing investigation and recall underscore the importance of maintaining stringent food safety measures to protect public health, especially in light of potentially lethal pathogens like listeria.