Costco, Trader Joe’s and other retailers recall products affected by listeria outbreak linked to dairy company
(Gray News) - More recalls have been issued in connection to a decadelong outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to a cheese and dairy company.
Trader Joe’s, Costco, H-E-B and Albertson’s have all pulled several products from their shelves after the company Fresh Creative Foods recalled various dressings, sauces and a meal kit.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the products were recalled because they contain a dairy ingredient supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods of Modesto, California. Rizo-Lopez Foods is currently at the center of a massive recall after their products were found to be the source of a fatal listeria outbreak.
The outbreak has been linked to two deaths, one in California in 2017 and another in Texas in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Fresh Creative Foods products impacted by the recall include certain cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caeser dressing, cilantro dressing and a street taco meal kit.
| Item UPC | Item Name | Size | Impacted Use By Date Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71117.00489 | DON PANCHO CILANTRO LIME CREMA TWIN PACK | 2-pack of 32 oz bottles | 3/21/2024 - 4/4/2024 |
| 71117.00741 | DON PANCHO EVERYTHING SAUCE FIESTA 3 PACK | 3-pack of 12 oz bottles | 3/11/2024 - 3/26/2024 |
| 41220.94799 | HEB CILANTRO COTIJA DRESSING | 12 oz bottle | 1/13/2024 - 3/30/2024 |
| 41220.94807 | HEB POBLANO CAESAR DRESSING | 12 oz bottle | 1/14/2024 - 3/31/2024 |
| 00003.64201 | TRADER JOES CILANTRO DRESSING | 12 oz bottle | 2/19/2024 - 5/14/2024 |
| 71117.12500 | DON PANCHO CHICKEN STREAT TACO EXPRESS MEAL KIT | 22 oz tray | 12/12/2023 - 3/17/2024 |
The FDA reported these products were sold at Costco, H-E-Bs, Trader Joe’s and Albertson’s under the brand Don Pancho or the store’s brand name. They were sold in stores in California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
In addition to these products, Costco reported other items have been impacted by the recall. These include their Southwest Wraps, Chicken Street Taco Kits and Rojo’s 6 Layer Dip.
Trader Joe’s also issued an additional recall for other products that contained cotija cheese supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods and therefore impacted by the outbreak. These included their Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Cilantro Salad Dressing, Elote Chopped Salad Kit and Southwest Kit.
| PRODUCT NAME | PRODUCT SKU |
|---|---|
| Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde | 58292 |
| Trader Joe’s Cilantro Salad Dress | 36420 |
| Trader Joe’s Elote Chopped Salad Kit | 74768 |
| Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad | 56077 |
The company reported the products have sold in their stores nationwide.
Both Trader Joe’s and Fresh Creative Foods said no illnesses or complaints have been reported in connection with their specific recalls.
Those who have purchased these products have been asked to discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
On Monday, Rizo-Lopez Foods recalled more than 60 soft cheeses, yogurt and sour cream sold under several brand names including Food City, La Ordena, Campesino and 365 Whole Foods Market.
Listeria food poisoning can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
