Federal Court enters Consent Decree against Rizo Lopez Foods following Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese

 The FDA reported that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. (“Rizo Lopez Foods”), a California-based food manufacturer, and the company’s co-owners, Edwin Rizo and Tomas Rizo. The consent decree prohibits Rizo Lopez Foods from manufacturing and selling food products until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), federal regulations, and other requirements. In January 2024, the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch collected a retail sample of the Defendants’ Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese, and the sample tested positive for L. monocytogenes. Whole genome sequencing of the L. monocytogenes-positive cheese sample matched previous clinical illnesses identified by the CDC. The FDA inspected the Defendants’ facility from January–February 2024, and the FDA subsequently identified the same strain of L. monocytogenes in the facility’s environment. This match indicates that the L. monocytogenes strain likely originated from the Defendants’ facility. In February 2024, Rizo Lopez Foods recalled its entire inventory of dairy products, regardless of the sell-by date of the product. The CDC outbreak investigation identified 26 illnesses, which occurred across 11 states and included 23 hospitalizations and two deaths. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/federal-court-enters-consent-decree-against-rizo-lopez-foods-inc-following-multistate-outbreak?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

 Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. Following Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese Products
Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. Following Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese Products

DOJ enters a consent decree of permanent injunction against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. prohibiting the company from manufacturing and selling certain food products.

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