Major Retailers Recall Dairy Products Linked to Lethal Listeria Outbreak
A deadly listeria outbreak has prompted major retailers, including Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart, to issue a sweeping recall of dairy products. The recall extends to various items such as dips, dressings, salad kits, and taco kits sold at these grocery chains. The recall comes in the wake of a previous recall by Modesto-based Rizo-López Foods, which involved nearly 60 cheese and dairy products. Federal health officials have recently discovered new evidence linking these products to a listeria outbreak that was initially detected almost a decade ago.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 26 people in 11 states have fallen ill due to the ongoing outbreak. The most recent case occurred in December. Tragically, there have been two fatalities associated with the outbreak, one in California in 2017 and another in Texas in 2020.
Fresh Express, a well-known salad brand, has also announced a recall of two salad kits that contain the recalled cheese. These kits, known as Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Salad and Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad, were sold in several states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Utah, and Wyoming. The use-by dates for these salad kits range from January 6, 2024, to February 20, 2024. The condiment packs included in these kits also have use-by dates between February 28, 2024, and April 4, 2024.
Other retailers affected by the recall include Albertson’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s. Fresh Creative Foods, a subsidiary of Reser’s Fine Foods, issued the recall for assorted dressings, sauces, and a street taco meal kit. The potentially contaminated products sold at Costco, Walmart, and Winco are also being recalled due to the presence of Rizo-López cheese. Ready Pac Foods, based in Irwindale, California, distributed these kits in 15,751 cases between December 2023 and February 2024.
Furthermore, BrightFarms, located in Irvington, New York, is recalling Southwest Chipotle salad kits that contain potentially tainted cotija cheese. The affected salad kits have best-by dates ranging from December 13, 2023, to February 22, 2024. These products were sold in various states, including Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
The investigation into the listeria outbreak is still ongoing, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumers are strongly advised to discard the recalled products and sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with them. Listeria can survive in refrigerated environments and spread, so it is crucial to take proper precautions.
Listeria primarily affects pregnant individuals and newborns, older adults aged 65 and above, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food and may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions may occur.
As the investigation continues, it is essential for consumers to stay informed about the recall and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety. By following the guidelines provided by health officials and discarding any potentially contaminated products, individuals can help prevent further spread of listeria and protect their health.