Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. Recalls Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) Because of Possible Health Risk

Company Announcement Date:

January 11, 2024

FDA Publish Date:

January 11, 2024

Product Type:

Food & Beverages

Reason for Announcement:

Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Company Name:

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.

Brand Name:

Rio Bros California Creamery

Product Description:

Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese

Company Announcement

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. of Modesto, CA is recalling a total of 344 cases of Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz), UPC 72724200043 batch number 4DW-23318 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) was distributed nationwide through distributors.

The product comes in a small 8oz. “puck” shape wrapped in clear plastic marked with red and black lettering on the botom noted as “Cotija, made with Grade A Milk” along with an ingredient description. Nutritional facts are noted in black below the ingredient description. The top shows “Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese” with orange background. Batch number is identified on the outer edge of the clear plastic with “SELL BY 05/12/24 BATCH 4DW-23318” in black lettering.

To date, no confirmed illnesses related to this product have been reported.

The recall was a result of a routine sampling program by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch on Wednesday, January 3rd which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria. Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. has ceased the produc on and distribution of the product as the FDA and Rizo Lopez Foods continue their investigation as to what caused the issue.

Consumers who have purchased Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz). are urged to quarantine the product and destroy it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-626-5587, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

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Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.

1-800-626-5587

Product Photos

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* We believe that none of the product being recalled were processed or offered through the national office
* We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.
* ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.
* For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
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About Feeding America Recall Notices

The Feeding America national office issues notifications of all national Class I and II recalls–those involving a health hazard situation in which there is reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death–and other recalls that may affect the safety of food supplied to network members.

The national office strongly encourages all member product solicitors, operations managers, and others involved in food and grocery distribution to regularly consult resources provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at https://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp. Additionally, members can often receive information on national, state, and local recalls by contacting their local health departments.

Feeding America National Office
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