(LibertyInsider.org) – The FDA has added more products to an existing warning about a longstanding listeria outbreak linked to certain dairy items, including cheese, yogurt, and sour cream. According to a notice issued on February 13, a CDC investigation found evidence connecting products manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. in California to cases of illness dating back to 2014.
The manufacturer initiated a voluntary recall on February 6 in response to the Center’s findings. The recall involves various dairy products sold under a long list of brands at several major retailers, including Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s, as well as smaller stores in at least 11 different states. Some of the contaminated items may have also been used in unlabeled prepared foods, such as meals, taco kits, and wraps.
Deadly listeria outbreak prompts dairy product recall at Costco, Walmart and others https://t.co/sXHCjURT6V pic.twitter.com/t2voVsO4GE
— New York Post (@nypost) February 15, 2024
A full list of affected brands is available on the FDA’s website and within a recent press release published by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. Several of the most commonly known labels include Dole, Fresh Express, H-E-B, Marketside (Walmart’s brand), Ready Pac Bistro, Trader Joe’s, and 365 by Whole Foods Market.
Consumers are advised to carefully check the FDA notice to identify whether any of the dairy products in their possession fall are affected. The agency has provided helpful details to guide the process, including images of product packaging, descriptions of recalled items, package sizes, and UPC codes.
You can also contact Rizo-López Foods, Inc. directly at 1-833-296-2233 for more information or to get guidance on products you have at home. Both the manufacturer and the FDA are advising consumers not to eat or use the affected items. Dispose of them promptly instead.
Public health officials say that at least two people have died, and another 26 became ill as a result of the suspected listeria outbreak. Each of the cases recorded occurred between June 15, 2014, and December 10, 2023.
Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in certain patient populations, including young children, adults over the age of 65, and the immunocompromised. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It may also trigger miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
It’s important to note that signs of a listeria infection do not always manifest right away. According to the CDC, symptoms can emerge anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks after exposure. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be infected, seek medical attention.
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