FDA Recalls Cotija Cheese for Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Rizo Lopez Foods recalls multiple brands of cotija cheese due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Products were distributed through retail deli counters across 20 U.S. states.
The agency’s classification
FDA (Food): Class I
Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This recall is classified as FDA Class I, which establishes a minimum severity score of 4. Listeria monocytogenes is a high-risk pathogen capable of causing serious illness. However, no illnesses or deaths are reported in the source, so this recall scores 4 (Severe) rather than 5 (Critical).
Plain-English summary
Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., doing business as Don Francisco Cheese, is recalling cotija cheese products sold under the Rizo Bros, Tio Francisco, Casa Cardenas, and Food City brand names. The recall is due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness. Affected products include grated and bulk cotija cheese in various sizes and UPC codes with use-by dates through July 31, 2024. A total of 344 cases were distributed to consumers through retail deli counters.
The recalled products were distributed in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. No foreign distribution has been reported.
Consumers should not consume the recalled products. Those who have purchased the affected cheese and have health concerns should contact a healthcare provider. Questions about this recall may be directed to the FDA.
The recalled product
- Product
- Rizo Bros Cotija (Grated) 8 oz. UPC 72724200043 7 oz. UPC 7-27242-14022-5 Tio Francisco, Casa Cardenas 9 oz. UPC 7-27242-00022-2 & 8-11371-27109-4 Rizo Bros Cotija 8 oz. UPC 7-27242-00043-7 Tio Francisco Cotija 14 oz. 7-27242-00517-3 Food City Cotija 16 oz. Tio…
- Manufacturer
- Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. dba Don Francisco Cheese
- Category
- Food — Deli Cheese
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 344
Distribution
Part of a larger recall action
This product is one of 14 recalled by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. dba Don Francisco Cheese under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.
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