Randy Chandler
Sargento Foods, a Wisconsin-based cheese company, recalled select shredded and grated cheese products sold to food service groups in 15 states in March 2024. The recall was due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, which caused concern among consumers and businesses. While no Sargento-branded retail products were affected, the company took precautionary measures to ensure consumer safety. This incident highlights the importance of food safety and the swift actions taken by Sargento to address the issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Recall | February 5, 2024 |
| Reason for Recall | Listeria outbreak |
| Products Recalled | Shredded and grated cheese |
| Affected Parties | Food service groups in 15 states |
| Sargento-Branded Products Affected | No |
| Supplier | Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. |
| Action Taken by Sargento | Voluntarily recalled products, terminated relationship with supplier, notified customers |
| FDA Status | Investigating |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento recalled products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc
Sargento Foods Inc. has recalled select products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. over concerns of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall comes amid an ongoing investigation by the FDA and CDC into a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. of Modesto, California.
Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. voluntarily recalled its dairy products on February 5, 2024, due to the potential risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products included cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under various brand names, such as Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, and 365 Whole Foods Market.
Sargento, a Wisconsin-based cheese company, announced on March 8, 2024, that it had voluntarily recalled products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. as a precautionary measure. The recalled products were sold to food service groups and not directly to consumers. Sargento also terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and notified its affected business customers.
The specific Sargento products recalled due to their association with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. are not explicitly stated. However, Sargento has previously recalled select products due to potential contamination. In February 2017, Sargento recalled certain products, including Sargento Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby and Sargento Chef Blends Shredded Nacho & Taco Cheese, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Additionally, Sargento recalled products packaged on the same lines as the affected cheese, such as sliced Colby-Jack and Pepper Jack cheese, and shredded taco and cheddar jack cheese.
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No Sargento-branded products sold in retail markets were affected
Sargento Foods, a Wisconsin-based company, has been a leader in cheese for over 70 years. The company recalled select products in February 2017 and removed them from shelves at that time. The recall was due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. However, no Sargento-branded products sold in retail markets or traditional grocery stores were affected. This means that consumers who purchased Sargento cheese from retail outlets did not need to worry about the safety of their purchases.
The recall was initiated on February 5, 2024, by Sargento and is ongoing, according to an event report posted online by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall was linked to one supplier, California-based Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc., which has also affected numerous other cheese brands. Sargento's recall impacted a limited amount of its food service and ingredients products. The company recalled the products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and those packaged on the same lines out of an abundance of caution.
Sargento also terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. and immediately notified its affected business customers. The company actively shared this correction across its social media channels and website to eliminate consumer concern and confusion. Sargento is committed to providing transparency and accuracy as a family-owned company, with the safety and quality of its products being top priorities.
It is important to note that while Sargento recalled select products, the company has always maintained high standards for its cheese products. The recall was a proactive measure to ensure the safety of its customers and maintain its reputation as a trusted cheese brand. Consumers can continue to purchase Sargento-branded cheese products from retail markets with confidence, knowing that the company takes swift and comprehensive action to address any potential issues.
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Sargento terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc
Sargento Foods, a Wisconsin-based company, has been a leader in cheese for over 70 years. The company recalled select products in February 2017 and removed them from shelves at that time. The recall was due to a notification from Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Ind., that a specialty Longhorn Colby cheese they supplied to Sargento needed to be recalled due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses were reported.
In 2024, Sargento voluntarily recalled products supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and products packaged on the same lines. This was due to a related listeria outbreak in Rizo-Lopez's Cotija cheese. Sargento immediately terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and notified its affected business customers. The recall impacted a limited amount of Sargento's Food Service and Ingredients products, and no Sargento-branded products sold in traditional grocery stores or retail markets were affected.
Sargento's decision to terminate its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. was likely influenced by the severity of the listeria outbreak, which resulted in 26 illnesses, including two deaths and 23 hospitalizations as of February 22. As a family-owned company, Sargento prioritizes the safety and quality of its products. By terminating its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc., Sargento demonstrated its commitment to providing safe and high-quality cheese products to its customers.
Furthermore, Sargento's termination of its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. allowed the company to take control of the situation and maintain its reputation. By voluntarily recalling the affected products and being transparent with its customers, Sargento showed its dedication to addressing the issue promptly and effectively. The company also utilized its social media channels and website to clarify the situation and provide accurate information to consumers, eliminating any confusion or concern.
In summary, Sargento's decision to terminate its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. was a necessary step to ensure the safety and quality of its products, maintain its reputation, and uphold its commitment to transparency and accuracy. By taking swift and decisive action, Sargento demonstrated its responsibility as a leading cheese company in the industry.
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The recall was due to potential Listeria contamination
Sargento Foods is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years. The company recalled select products in February 2017 and removed them from shelves at that time. The recall was due to potential Listeria contamination.
On February 5, 2024, Sargento initiated a recall of shredded cheese obtained from the California-based company Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. due to a related Listeria outbreak. The recall impacted a limited amount of Sargento's Food Service and Ingredients products, specifically those that were supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. and packaged on the same lines. No Sargento-branded products sold in traditional grocery stores or retail markets were affected by the recall.
The affected products included Sargento Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby and Sargento Chef Blends Shredded Nacho & Taco Cheese, with specific UPC codes and "Sell By" dates. In addition, several other Sargento-branded cheeses were recalled as a precaution as they were packaged on the same lines as the affected cheese. These included various sliced and shredded cheese products with different UPC codes and "Sell By" dates.
Listeria is a serious concern as it can cause listeriosis, which affects an estimated 1,600 Americans each year with approximately 260 deaths, according to the CDC. Sargento's decision to voluntarily recall the potentially contaminated products demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its products.
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The recall was limited to food service customers
Sargento Foods is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years. The company recalled select products in February 2017 and removed them from shelves at that time. The recall was limited to food service customers and did not impact Sargento-branded products sold in traditional retail markets or grocery stores.
The recall was initiated due to concerns about potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Sargento was notified by Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana, that the specialty Longhorn Colby cheese they supplied to Sargento needed to be recalled. No illnesses related to this issue had been reported at the time.
The affected retail products included:
- Sargento Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby, 6.84 oz., UPC 4610000228, with “Sell By” dates of “12APR17B” and “10MAY17B”.
- Sargento Chef Blends Shredded Nacho & Taco Cheese, 8 oz., UPC 4610040041, with “Sell By” dates of “H14JUN17” and “H12JUL17”.
Additionally, Sargento recalled several other products that were packaged on the same lines as the affected cheese, including:
- Sargento Sliced Colby-Jack Cheese, 12 oz.
- Sargento Sliced Pepper Jack Cheese, 12 oz.
- Sargento Chef Blends Shredded Taco Cheese, 8 oz.
- Sargento Off The Block Shredded Fine Cut Colby-Jack Cheese, 8 oz.
- Sargento Off The Block Shredded Fine Cut Cheddar Jack Cheese, 8 oz.
Sargento took swift and decisive action by voluntarily recalling the impacted products, terminating its relationship with the supplier, and notifying its affected business customers. The company also clarified the situation through various communication channels to eliminate consumer concern and confusion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sargento recalled some of its cheese products in February 2017 and February 2024.
Sargento recalled its cheese products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
No, the recall did not impact Sargento-branded cheese products sold in retail markets or traditional grocery stores.
The recalled Sargento cheese products included:
- Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby
- Chef Blends Shredded Nacho & Taco Cheese
- Sliced Colby-Jack Cheese
- Sliced Pepper Jack Cheese
- Chef Blends Shredded Taco Cheese
- Off The Block Shredded Fine Cut Colby-Jack Cheese
- Off The Block Shredded Fine Cut Cheddar Jack Cheese
If you have one of the recalled Sargento cheese products, you should not consume it. You can check if your product is affected by the recall by visiting the Sargento website and using the "Product Check" tool.
