A major California dairy producer has ceased operations following a prolonged listeria outbreak that resulted in two deaths and numerous illnesses, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday.
Rizo López Foods and its owners have halted all food preparation and processing activities under an injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.
Earlier this year, evidence emerged linking products from the Modesto company to a nationwide listeria outbreak initially identified in June 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It affected 26 individuals across 11 states, leading to 23 hospitalizations and two deaths — one in California and one in Texas.
The CDC had previously investigated listeria outbreaks at Rizo López Foods in 2017 and 2021, identifying queso fresco and similar cheeses as potential sources of contamination, but did not single out the brand at the time.
With new cases reported in December 2023, the CDC and Food and Drug Administration reopened their investigation, resulting in the recent enforcement actions.
“The Justice Department and FDA will continue to work closely on enforcement actions against food manufacturers who fail to meet their obligations and put the health of their customers at risk,” said Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, in a statement.
Earlier this year, Rizo López Foods voluntarily recalled around 60 items, including cheeses and dairy products sold at retailers that included Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Costco.
These items were suspected of containing Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for listeriosis.
The recall included cheese, sour cream, and yogurt under various brand names, such as Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros and others. Specific Costco items affected included the Chicken Street Taco Kit and Southwest Chicken Wrap, while Trader Joe’s items included Chicken Enchiladas Verde and Southwest Salad. Many products were also available at deli counters in Spanish-language supermarkets.
Listeria infections are potentially deadly, especially for vulnerable groups such as adults over 65, newborns and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms, including vomiting, fever, headache and seizures, typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food. Pregnant individuals face risks such as pregnancy loss and life-threatening infections in newborns.
Each year, approximately 1,600 people in the United States contract listeriosis.
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