The Hawaii Department of Health issued an alert Thursday about a voluntary recall of Rizo Bros. California Creamery’s Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese for potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.
This product was distributed nationwide, including retailers in Hawaii, such as R. Field Wine Company, Foodland and Foodland Farms supermarkets, and Cost.U.Less Hilo, according to a news release.
DOH, with funds from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, samples certain foods for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes to protect public health, which led to this recall.
Listeria monocytogenes, if consumed through food, can cause listeriosis, a serious and sometimes fatal infection. The disease mostly affects people who are pregnant, newborns, older adults and others with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Healthy people may suffer symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle aches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Symptoms usually show up within several days of consuming the contaminated-food, often with diarrhea, but symptoms may develop up to two months later. Antibiotics are used to treat listeriosis.
The DOH urges Hawaii residents to contact their doctor immediately if they exhibit symptoms after consuming the recalled food. At this time, no one has reported illness or adverse effects related to the recalled cheese.
The DOH advises consumers to check for the specified batch codes listed below and seal the product in a plastic bag and return it to the store for a full refund.
UPC code: 72724200043
Batch number: 4DW-23318
Sell by: 05/12/24
Size: 8-ounce package
Product image:
Find the batch code and sell-by date along the back edge of the package:
For more information, contact Rizo Bros. California Creamery at 209-232-3700.