In the news

The FDA reported that Albertsons Companies recalled five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The select meals and kits contain a recalled cheese ingredient from Rizo-López Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California. With state and local partners, the FDA CDC is investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-Lopez Foods. Rizo-López Foods’. The ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits and meals were available for purchase at the following banner stores: Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Lucky, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb and Vons in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-five-readymeals-and-store-made-taco-kits-containing

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. (Monterey, CA) recalled from the market a limited number of Dole-branded and private label salad kits, which were processed on the same line as a cheese that has been recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, for the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. This recall notification is being issued due to the potential for cross-contamination of cheese contained in masterpacks by cheese potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes from the packaged cheese supplier. At this time, we are unaware of any specific illnesses associated with the products. The recalled products include Dole, President’s Choice, and Marketside brands. Recalled salad items were distributed in AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-inc-voluntarily-recallsdairy-products-because-possible-health-risk

BrightFarms (Irvington, NY), is voluntarily recalling its Southwest Chipotle salad kit with best-by-dates between 12/31/23 and 2/22/24 due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes from the Cotija Cheese, an ingredient found in the salad kit. The affected cheese product is contained in a fully enclosed and sealed plastic “masterpack” placed inside the kit and contains a best-by-date through 3/27/24. The product comes in a clear plastic container. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C. BrightFarm has not received confirmed reports of illness related to the product covered by this recall.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/brightfarms-announces-voluntary-recall-southwest-chipotle-salad-kit-due-potential-risk-listeria

The FDA reported on February 9, 2024, that Fresh & Ready Foods (San Fernando, California) recalled four torta sandwiches containing cotija cheese sold in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. This voluntary recall is being initiated due to the Rizo-Lopez Foods recall of cotija cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes and associated with an outbreak the FDA is investigating. Fresh & Ready Foods used this cheese to make the sandwiches listed below. The recalled products were distributed between 01/21/2024 and 02/06/2024 and sold exclusively in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah locations. To date, no illnesses have been reported related to these specific products. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-ready-foods-voluntarily-recalls-four-torta-sandwiches-containing-cotija-cheese-distributed