The Expanded Cheese and Dairy Recall Now Includes More Than 60 Products

On February 5, Rizo-López Foods, Inc. (RLF) voluntarily recalled many its cheese and dairy products due to possible listeria contamination. The recall has now expanded to include salad kits, dressings, and other products containing cotija cheese, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The original recall by RLF includes cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream sold under brand names like 365 Whole Foods Market. The expanded recall includes products made with or containing the recalled dairy products from RLF. This includes salad dressings, salad kits, dips, and more items sold nationwide at Trader Joe's, Costco, and H-E-B.

The expansion also includes recalled products sold at Costco locations in Canada, including President’s Choice Chopped Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad Kit and Taylor Farms Mexican Style Street Corn Salad Kit, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This active cheese and dairy recall has been linked to a listeria outbreak that has resulted in 26 illnesses and 23 hospitalizations across 11 states. Symptoms of illness from listeria exposure usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food, per the FDA.

Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. While listeria infection is typically not life threatening, it can be dangerous in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Consumer who purchased or received recalled products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces, the FDA states.