Products:
Recalled products include all “Sell By” dates of cheese, yogurt, and sour cream (crema) sold under the brand names:
- Tio Francisco
- Don Francisco
- Rizo Bros
- Rio Grande
- Food City
- El Huache
- La Ordena
- San Carlos
- Campesino
- Santa Maria
- Dos Ranchitos
- Casa Cardenas
- 365 Whole Foods Market
Product description, size, and UPCs are listed below. Additional information is also available in the firm’s recall notice.
Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection)
Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Stores Affected
- Sold Nationwide
Status
Ongoing; updates will be provided as they become available.
Recommendations:
- Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled brands of cheeses, sour creams (cremas), or yogurts manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
- Check your refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and throw them away. If you froze a product without the original packaging and can’t tell if it is part of the recall, throw it away.
- Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received recalled products, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
- If you have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.
Recommendations for At-Risk Groups
- Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
- Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a Listeria infection.
Current Update
February 5, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.
This outbreak includes cases dating back to 2014 and is currently ongoing. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand.
A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January 2024.In response to that finding, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled one batch of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) on January 11, 2024. CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023 and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.
According to CDC, of the 22 people interviewed, 16 (73%) reported eating queso fresco, cotija, or other similar cheeses. Among people who remembered specific brands, three people who got sick between 2014 and 2022 reported Don Francisco brand queso fresco or cotija. Don Francisco is one of the brands of recalled cheeses.
FDA initiated an on-site inspection at Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. FDA’s inspection is still ongoing; however, an environmental sample collected during that inspection tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. WGS analysis of that sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.
In response to this investigation, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. has voluntarily recalled all sell by dates of its dairy products. The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market. The firm has temporarily ceased the production and distribution of these products. while their investigation is ongoing.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing and FDA will continue to update this advisory as information becomes available.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 2
Last Sample Collection Dates: June 15, 2014 – December 10, 2023
States with Cases: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, NC, OR, TN, TX, WA
Product Distribution: Nationwide
Product Images
Recalled Products
Please see the firm’s press release for a list of recalled products. The following table is a courtesy copy from the FDA.
| Product Description | Brand | Size | UPC | Sell By Dates |
| Blanco Suave | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-05355-6 | All dates through 03/23/2024 |
| Cotija | Rizo Bros | 8 oz | 7-27242-00043-7 | All dates through 07/31/2024 |
| Cotija | Tio Francisco | 12 oz | 7-27242-12017-3 | All dates through 07/31/2024 |
| Cotija | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00517-3 | All dates through 7/31/2024 |
| Cotija | Food City | ~16 oz | All dates through 07/31/2024 | |
| Cotija | Tio Francisco, San Carlos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 07/31/2024 | |
| Cotija (Grated) | Rizo Bros | 7 oz | 7-27242-14022-5 | All dates through 07/31/2024 |
| Cotija (Grated) | Tio Francisco, Casa Cardenas | 9 oz | 7-27242-00022-2 & 8-11371-27109-4 | All dates through 06/01/2024 |
| Cotija (Grated) | Tio Francisco | 20 oz | 7-27242-00056-7 | All dates through 5/2/2024 |
| Cotija Enchilado | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00535-7 | All dates through 07/31/2024 |
| Cotija Enchilado | Food City, Casa Cardenas | ~16 oz | All dates through 07/31/2024 | |
| Cotija Enchilado | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 07/31/2024 | |
| Cotija Rallado | Tio Francisco | 12 oz | 7-27242-00021-5 | All dates through 7/31/2024 |
| Cotija Rallado | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 07/31/2024 | |
| Crema Centroamericana | Tio Francisco | 16 oz | 7-27242-00440-4 | All dates through 06/01/2024 |
| Crema Centroamericana | Tio Francisco, Campesino | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema La Deliciosa | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/22/2024 | |
| Crema La Suprema | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/22/2024 | |
| Crema Latina | Tio Francisco | 16 oz | 7-27242-35445-5 | All dates through 6/1/2024 |
| Crema Latina | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema Menonita | Campesino | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema Mexicana | Tio Francisco, Food City, Santa Maria | 16 oz | 7-27242-00408-4, 7-27242-22410-9, 7-27242-35403-5 | All dates through 06/01/2024 |
| Crema Mexicana | Tio Francisco, Campesino | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema Mexicana | San Carlos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema Mexicana | Tio Francisco | 32 oz | 7-27242-32403-8 | All dates through 06/01/2024 |
| Crema Nortena | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 06/01/2024 | |
| Crema Santa Isabel Centroamericana | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/22/2024 | ||
| Crema Santa Isabel Latina | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/22/2024 | ||
| Crema Santa Isabel Mexicana | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/22/2024 | ||
| Fresco | Tio Francisco, San Carlos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/02/2024 | |
| Fresco (Michoacano) | Tio Francisco, El Huache, La Ordena | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/02/2024 | |
| Oaxaca | Rizo Bros | 8 oz | 7-27242-00334-6 | All dates through 5/2/2024 |
| Oaxaca | Tio Francisco | 12 oz | 7-27242-12332-7 | All dates through 05/02/2024 |
| Oaxaca | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00532-6 | All dates through 05/02/2024 |
| Oaxaca | Food City | ~16 oz | All dates through 05/02/2024 | |
| Oaxaca | Tio Francisco, San Carlos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 05/02/2024 | |
| Oaxaca (shred) | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 05/02/2024 | |
| Panela | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00550-0 | All dates through 3/23/2024 |
| Panela | Food City | ~16 oz | All dates through 3/23/2024 | |
| Panela | Tio Francisco, San Carlos, Dos Ranchitos, La Ordena, Campesino | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 03/23/2024 | |
| Panela Barra | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/02/2024 | |
| Queso Crema | Food City | ~16 oz | All dates through 3/23/2024 | |
| Queso Crema | San Carlos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 03/23/2024 | |
| Queso Fresco | Rizo Bros | 8 oz | 7-27242-00159-5 | All dates through 04/02/2024 |
| Queso Fresco | Don Francisco | 10 oz | 7-27242-00178-6 | All dates through 4/2/2024 |
| Queso Fresco | Tio Francisco | 12 oz | 7-27242-12552-9 | All dates through 03/23/2024 |
| Queso Fresco | Tio Francisco, Rio Grande | 14 oz | 7-27242-00552-4, 8-12324-03090-4, 8-12324-03091-1 & 8-12324-03089-8 | All dates through 03/23/2024 |
| Queso Fresco | Food City | ~16 oz | All dates through 3/23/2024 | |
| Queso Fresco | Tio Francisco, Campesino, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/02/2024 | |
| Queso Para Freir | Tio Francisco | ~16 oz | All dates through 04/17/2024 | |
| Queso Para Freir | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/17/2024 | |
| Queso Seco | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00548-8 | All dates through 07/31/2024 |
| Requeson | Tio Francisco | 14 oz | 7-27242-00390-6 | All dates through 04/02/2024 |
| Requeson | Tio Francisco | 15 oz | 7-27242-00392-6 | All dates through 4/2/2024 |
| Requeson | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/02/2024 | |
| Ricotta Part Skim | 365 Whole Foods Market | 15 oz | 9-94824-63052 | All dates through 04/02/2024 |
| Ricotta Whole Milk | 365 Whole Foods Market | 15 oz | 9-94824-96245 | All dates through 4/2/2024 |
| Yogurt (Plain, Strawberry, Peach & Mango) | Tio Francisco | Available to consumers at retail deli counters in various sizes | All dates through 04/17/2024 |
Who to Contact
Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can
- Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
- Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
- Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.
