Grocers pulling more product as a result of Listeria recall shockwave

Product recalls stemming from a Listeria outbreak first discovered in 2017 are mounting, reports local affiliate WSFA. 

Trader Joe’s, Costco, H-E-B, and Albertsons have been busy pulling items traced back to Rizo-Lopez Foods in Modesto, Calif. Fresh Creative Foods contain a dairy ingredient from the supplier. Whole Foods’ 365 private label also was listed among those infected. 

Salad kit producer Fresh Express also has issued a voluntary recall because of its use of Rizo-Lopez products.

Rizo-Lopez has recalled yogurt, sour cream, and cheese because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

Products included in the Fresh Creative Foods pull include certain cremas, everything salsas, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, and a street taco meal kit. 

The Food and Drug Administration said those products are sold under the Don Pancho brand, but are also found with private labels. 

Stores in California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington have been impacted. 

In addition, Costco is removing its Southwest Wraps, Chicken Street Taco Kits, and Rojo’s 6 Layer Dip from shelves. Trader Joe’s private label Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Cilantro Salad Dressing, Elote Chopped Salad Kit, and Southwest Kit are others which have been banned for sale.

Fresh Express also deals with Rizo-Lopez foods and has recalled two salad kits — Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit and Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad Kit. The bags have use-by dates ranging from Jan. 6 to Feb. 20 and come with condiment packs with use-by dates ranging from Feb. 28 to April 4. 

The salad kits are sold in limited quantities at grocery stores in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Utah, and Washington. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first investigated the Listeria outbreak back in 2017 and two people have died — one in California in 2017 and another in Texas in 2020. At the time of the discovery, CDC could not pinpoint it to any brands.