Aged Cojito Mexican Grating Cheese Recalled Due To Listeria Presence
On the 11th of January, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration confirmed the Rizo Lopez Foods Inc.’s recall of their Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese due to potential contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes. Approximately 344 cases of Rio Bros California Creamery branded Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese have been voluntarily recalled.
While the root cause remains unknown, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in the cheese product as a result of a routine laboratory testing process by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch. As elaborated on by the National Food Poisoning Lawyer, Dr. Tony Coveny, the concern surrounding this recalled cheese is due to Listeriosis:
“…a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also be affected.”
The company, Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. has temporarily ceased production of their Aged Cojita Mexican grating Cheese.
For identification purposes, the United States Food and Drug Administration shared that the recalled product is sold in an 8 ounce package; the shape of a “puck”. The product title, “Cojita Aged Mexican Grating Cheese,” can be found on the top of the packaging, with an orange background. The clear plastic wrapping also contains black and red lettering on the bottom, which reads “Cojita, made with Grade A Milk”. While no adverse reactions have yet been recorded as having been a result of consuming contaminated Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese, customers are highly encouraged to avoid consumption of it. If in possession of the affected product, individuals should either discard the item or return it to the location of purchase for a complete refund. The United States Food and Drug Administration is working in accordance with Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. to further investigate the situation.
