Rizo-López Foods, a California-based cheesemaker, has been shut down by court order after a listeria outbreak that started in 2014 was linked to two deaths and multiple hospitalizations. The company is accused of failing to meet safety standards, prompting a nationwide recall of its products.
Rizo-López Foods, a Modesto-based cheese and dairy producer, has been ordered to cease operations following a prolonged listeria outbreak that has been linked to two deaths and dozens of hospitalizations across the U.S., the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. The shutdown follows a court injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, halting all food preparation and processing activities at the company.
The listeria outbreak, which began in 2014, affected at least 26 people across 11 states, with 23 requiring hospitalization. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives—one in California in 2017 and another in Texas in 2020—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC conducted investigations in 2017 and 2021 but was unable to pinpoint a specific source until a renewed probe this year led to the discovery of the bacteria in the company’s Rizo Brothers Aged Cotija cheese.
In January 2024, Hawaii officials found listeria contamination in a sample of the company’s product, prompting the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reopen the investigation. This led to a limited recall, which expanded in February to include over 60 of the company’s products sold across the country.
The DOJ, alongside the FDA, emphasized the importance of strict compliance in the food industry, with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stating, “The Justice Department and FDA will continue to work closely on enforcement actions against food manufacturers who fail to meet their obligations and put the health of their customers at risk.”
Listeria is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals, newborns, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food and may range from fever and muscle aches to more severe neurological symptoms like headache, stiff neck, and convulsions.
With the cessation of operations at Rizo-López Foods, the hope is to prevent further cases of infection, ensuring consumer safety remains a priority.