California Cheese Producer Shut Down After Deadly Listeria Outbreak

Rizo-López Foods ceases operations following a federal injunction after listeria contamination linked to two deaths and multiple illnesses.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the shutdown of Rizo-López Foods after a listeria outbreak that resulted in two fatalities and 26 illnesses across 11 states.
The outbreak, traced back to 2014, saw listeria found in products from the Modesto-based company, prompting a nationwide recall in February 2024.
A civil lawsuit alleged that the company violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by distributing adulterated food products.
Rizo-López Foods has agreed to a permanent injunction, preventing them from resuming operations without prior notification and compliance with FDA inspections.
Listeria poses significant health risks, particularly to pregnant individuals, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, with symptoms ranging from fever to severe neurological complications.