NH DHHS Advises Consumers Not to Eat Rizo-Lopez Dairy Products

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) is advising consumers not to eat certain foods that contain dairy products made by Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. A national outbreak of Listeria infections has been linked to cheese made by this company.  

The recall includes the following products containing Rizo-Lopez dairy products, which have been shipped to New Hampshire:

• Bright Farms, Inc. Southwest Chipotle salad kits sold at Hannaford and Price Chopper stores
• Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Avocado Ranch Dole Chopped Kit sold at Shaw’s stores
• Ready Meals and store-made taco kits sold at Shaw's stores
• Southwest Chicken Wrap sold at Costco stores

Consumers should discontinue consumption and dispose of these products immediately. A full list of recalled products, including descriptions, sizes, and UPCs or “best by” dates is available on the FDA website.

“Listeria infection can cause serious health concerns,” said Iain Watt, Interim DPHS Director. “Contaminated food may not look, smell, or taste any different, so there is no way to tell if Listeria is present.”

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. issued the recall in response to an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners. The investigation determined that a strain of Listeria bacteria found in a sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija cheese and at the Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. manufacturing plant is the same strain of Listeria causing illness in the outbreak. At this time, no illnesses related to this Listeria outbreak have been identified in New Hampshire.
  
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause a serious and sometimes fatal infection called listeriosis in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, so anyone who suspects they may have the illness should contact their healthcare provider.

If you have questions about listeriosis, please contact the DHHS Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496. For more information about listeriosis and this outbreak, visit the CDC website. For more information about the recall, go to the FDA website.