Massive Cheese Product Recall Expands Over Listeria Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has significantly expanded its list of recalled products, now including at least 57 items due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The most recent addition involves the Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit Units distributed by Fresh Creations Foods and sold at Sprouts, with recalls issued across multiple states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This action comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA investigate an outbreak of listeria infections linked to cheeses produced by Rizo-LÃ,pez Foods, affecting 26 people across 11 states.

The CDC has raised concerns that the actual number of affected individuals may be higher than reported, as some may recover without medical intervention. Consumers have been advised to check for the recalled products, which include a wide range of cheese-based items, salads, and taco kits, with specific attention to the UPC codes and best-by dates provided by the FDA.

In response to the outbreak, Rizo-LÃ,pez Foods has initiated a comprehensive recall of its cheese products, including queso fresco and cotija, which have been identified as the source of the listeria infections. The company’s CEO, Edwin Rizo, emphasized their commitment to consumer safety and the ongoing efforts to identify and rectify the source of the contamination. This recall is a part of the broader food industry’s efforts to manage and mitigate risks associated with foodborne pathogens, including listeria, which can lead to serious health complications.