Dairy Company Ordered To Cease Operations After Listeria Outbreak

By Danielle

A California-based dairy company has shut down operations following a listeria outbreak responsible for two deaths and dozens of hospitalizations.

“In a civil complaint filed on Sept. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, the United States alleged that Rizo Lopez Foods Inc., along with its president, chief executive officer and co-owner, Edwin Rizo, and its chief financial officer, secretary and co-owner Tomas Rizo, violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) at the company’s facility in Modesto, California, by manufacturing and distributing adulterated food products,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release.

“Rizo Lopez Foods produced cotija cheese and other cheeses, yogurt, sour cream and other foods sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas and 365 Whole Foods Market,” it continued.

The U.S. District Court entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc., a California-based food manufacturer, and the company’s co-owners. Among other requirements, the consent decree prohibits the company from manufacturing & selling certain food… pic.twitter.com/8pC8Yaf4E5

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) October 8, 2024