USA – Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese (February 2024) is over.

FDA

Current Update

April 10, 2024

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.

As of April 9, 2024, CDC reports that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 26 cases in 11 states. There have been a total of 23 hospitalizations and two deaths were reported. The last illnesses onset date was December 10, 2023. FDA’s outbreak investigation is closed.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. Producers of queso fresco type cheeses are responsible for producing safe food, including satisfying applicable food safety requirements. The FDA has developed a prevention strategy with the goal of reducing outbreaks and illnesses of listeriosis associated with soft fresh queso fresco cheeses.

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