In the news

The FDA reported that Trader Joe’s of Monrovia, CA, recalled products containing cotija cheese because the cheese used to make these products could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cotija cheese that was used to produce the products was manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. On 2/5/2024, Rio- López Foods initiated a recall of dairy items, including cotija cheese, under multiple brand names. As a result, Trader Joe’s is recalling all codes of the products manufactured with cotija cheese. The recalled products were sold in Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. Recalled products include all lots of the following products: (i) Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292); (ii) Trader Joe’s Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420); (iii) Trader Joe’s Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768); and  (iv) Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad (SKU 56077). No illnesses related to these products have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trader-joes-recalls-certain-products-containing-cotija-cheese-because-they-may-be-contaminated#:~:text=Trader%20Joe’s%20of%20Monrovia%2C%20CA,elderly%20people%2C%20and%20others%20with

The FDA reported that Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., recalled cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, cilantro dressing, and one taco kit due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes in a cheese ingredient supplied by RIZO-LÓPEZ FOODS, INC. The dressings and kits were distributed to retail outlets, including Costco, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, and Albertson’s in the following states: CA, CT, FL, ID, IL, MD, MT, NJ, NV, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, and WA. The dressings are sold in bottles; the taco kit is sold in a clear clamshell container with a printed cardboard band. No consumer complaints have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-creative-foods-announces-voluntary-recall-dressings-and-taco-kit-due-risk-listeria-ingredient

Taylor Fresh Canada Foods is recalling salad kits sold nationwide in Canada under the brands Taylor Farm and President’s Choice due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall in the US triggered this recall. There have been no reported illnesses associated with consuming these products in Canada. The President’s Choice product of the Chopped Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad Kit was sold in a 285-gram package. The Taylor Farm product of Mexican Style Street Corn Salad Kit (2 packs) was sold as two packages on 335 g. The two products were made using the recalled cheese by Rizo-López Foods Inc. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/president-s-choice-brand-and-taylor-farms-brand-mexican-style-street-corn-salad-kits

CORE update of February 07, 2024: the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes only two activity cases. The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1214) is linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. On 2/5/2024, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. expanded their Cotija Mexican Grating cheese recall to cover all dairy products manufactured in their Modesto, California, facility. The advisory was updated to include investigation updates for the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198). @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery