Listeria outbreak across more than 10 states linked to recalled dairy products: CDC

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that listeria outbreaks in 11 states have been linked to recalled dairy products.

CDC This is what the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak said. It caused 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Rizzo Lopez Foods said it recalled the dairy product because it “may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.” Tuesday's press release. The products affected by the recall are Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizzo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Rancitos, Sour cream, cheese, and yogurt sold under the brand name Casa. Cardenas and 365 Whole Foods Market.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that an outbreak in multiple states linked to Listeria strains has been growing for several years.

“CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021.” FDA said. “Epidemiological evidence from previous investigations had identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a possible source, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand. There was no.”

The CDC resumed its investigation last month amid the December outbreak, and “the outbreak strain was found in cheese samples from Rizzo Lopez Foods,” the FDA said.

Of the 22 people interviewed by the CDC, 16 said they felt sick after eating queso fresco, cotija, or similar cheeses. The FDA investigation into Rizzo Lopez Foods is ongoing.

“Listeria monocytogenes is particularly harmful to those who are pregnant, over 65, or have a weakened immune system,” the CDC said in a food safety warning. “This is because Listeria monocytogenes is more likely to spread beyond the intestines to other parts of the body, resulting in a serious condition known as invasive listeriosis.”