Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe’s recall new products made with listeria-infected cheese: full list of items

More recalls have been issued of food products that were made with or contain recalled Rizo Lopez dairy products thought linked to a listeria outbreak. The distribution of the potentially contaminated products is nationwide. Food companies and retailers are notifying the Food and Drug Administration as well as customers that purchased affected products.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking the ongoing listeria outbreak across the United States. So far, cases have been reported in eleven states but the distribution of the products believed to be the source have been sold nationwide.

The outbreak was first detected in 2014, and has since resulted in two fatalities, one in California in 2017 and another in Texas in 2020. According to the CDC, there have been 26 people that have been sickened with the majority requiring hospitalization. Joint investigations by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until now had been unable to identify the source.

However, after health officials in Hawaii found the same strain of listeria in a sample of Rizo Brothers Aged Cotija in January, the investigation was reopened and a limited recall implemented. Based on recent information shared by the two agencies, Rizo Lopez Foods is thought to be the potential source of illness in the ongoing nationwide Listeria monocytogenes outbreak which prompted an expansion of the recall.

Consumers are urged to throw away the recalled products, do not consume or serve them. Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products, including refrigerators and freezers. “Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces,” warns health officials.

Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe’s recall new products made with listeria-infected cheese: full list of items

The most recent recall was issued by Mg Foods of its Ham & Cotija Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll distributed exclusively in Florida sold via vending machines and grab-and-go retail markets within business locations.

Costco sent notifications to customers who their records indicated had purchased one or more of these three items containing recalled Rico Lopez cheese products: Southwest Wrap, Chicken Street Taco Kit, Maverick Foods Chipotle Chicken and Rice Bowl. The Perfect Bite Co. announced that it was recalling its Mexican Style Street Corn Bites sold at Costco stores in California and Hawaii.

Two companies announced they were recalling salad kits sold at Walmart locations in certain states. Taylor Fresh Foods is recalling its Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad kits sold in 25 states. Braga Fresh is recalling Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad kits sold in California and Nevada Walmart stores.

Other recent recalls include Chicken Street Taco Kits sold in Save Mart, Lucky, and Lucky California store service delis in California and Nevada. Chicken Street Taco Kits sold at all Stater Bros. Markets in California. Fresh & Ready Ham Torta Sandwich, Fresh & Ready Chicken Torta Sandwich, Sprig & Sprout Ham Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll, and Jack & Olive Ham Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll sold exclusively in locations in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit made by Sprouts Farmers Market and sold in Sprouts stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Below are the brands names under which the recalled dairy products, including cheese, yogurt, and sour cream, and products made with recalled dairy products, including dips and snacks, salad and taco kits, as well as vending-machine sandwiches, were sold according to the FDA as of 12 February 2024.

Products were sold at the following retailers unbranded as taco kits and meals.

The FDA website provides additional information, pictures of the products and contact information for the companies that have issued voluntary recalls of the potentially contaminated products. To find out the specific Rizo Lopez products, ‘Sell by Dates’ and UPC numbers Rizo Lopez Foods has provided a list.

Consumers with questions may contact the Rizo Lopez Foods at 1-833-296-2233. The phone line will be monitored 24 hours a day.

Where were the Rizo Lopez recalled products sold?

Health authorities say that the recalled products were also sold at deli counters at the following known retailers but caution that there may be others.

The recalled products were sold at over 600 Walmart and 28 Sam’s Club locations across the nation in the states listed below. Walmart provided a list of which stores sold the recalled products.

What is Listeria and how is it dangerous?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause severe infections which can be fatal in young children and frail or elderly people as well as others with weakened immune systems. It can also lead to pregnant women having miscarriages and stillbirths.

It may result in short-term illness in healthy individuals with symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

What are the symptoms?

Basic symptoms are similar to what can be experienced with usual infetions from food.

The serious symptoms for listeria are if the bacteria infects beyond your gut. If it reaches the bloodstream, the bactera can damage your central nervous system. This can result in symptoms such as confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Clearly these are serious symptoms and medical assistance is necessary. At this stage of the illness, there is a 20-30 percent chance of death.

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