Cheese Recall: Which Varieties Are Affected And Unsafe?

Several types of cheese have been recalled in the past year due to potential listeria contamination. In March 2024, Sargento recalled thousands of cases of shredded cheese across 15 states, including Arizona, California, and Florida. This recall was prompted by a decision made by Rizo-López Foods Inc., a Sargento supplier, to recall its dairy products due to listeria concerns. Similarly, in November 2024, Savencia Cheese USA voluntarily recalled select soft-ripened cheeses due to potential listeria contamination. This recall affected 12 states, including New Jersey, and impacted retailers such as Aldi and Market Basket. In February 2025, the FDA investigated illnesses linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. This investigation resulted in the recall of various products, including salad kits, dips, and wraps sold under multiple brand names.

Savencia Cheese USA recalls soft cheeses

Savencia Cheese USA has issued a voluntary recall of select soft ripened cheeses due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall includes six types of Brie cheese sold under various brand names, including Aldi, Supreme, La Bonne Vie, Market Basket, Glenview Farms, and industrial brie wheels. The affected products have a "Best By" date of December 24, except for the Glenview Farms Spreadable Bries, which have a date of January 13.

The recall was initiated after routine testing identified potential contamination of processing equipment at the Lena manufacturing facility. While no contaminated products have been found, Savencia Cheese USA is taking precautionary measures to ensure consumer safety. The company has informed retailers, who have removed the affected products from their shelves.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled cheeses are advised to refrain from consuming them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The bacteria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

At the time of the recall announcement, there were no confirmed reports of adverse health effects associated with the consumption of the recalled cheeses. However, consumers with questions or concerns can contact Savencia Cheese USA's consumer relations team for more information.

Sargento recalls shredded cheese

Sargento has recalled more than 10,000 cases of shredded cheese over fears of listeria contamination. The recall affects 15 US states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The recall was prompted by a decision from Rizo-López Foods Inc., a supplier to Sargento, to recall its dairy products. Sargento announced a voluntary recall of products supplied by Rizo-López Foods Inc. and those packaged on the same production lines. The company also ended its partnership with the supplier and alerted its affected business customers.

In a press release, Sargento stated that the recalled cheese was only sold to food distributors and was not available in consumer stores. The varieties of cheese affected by the recall include cotija, parmesan, Swiss, asiago, Monterey Jack, white cheddar, cheddar, a nacho and taco blend, Italian cheese blend, taco cheese blend, and queso quesadilla cheese.

Listeria contamination can cause serious illness and, in rare cases, death. People who are pregnant, older than 65, or have weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms such as muscle aches, fever, and tiredness usually start within two weeks of consuming contaminated foods but can begin earlier or later.

Rizo-López Foods recalls soft cheeses and other dairy products

Rizo-López Foods has recalled soft cheeses and other dairy products due to a listeria outbreak that has spanned over a decade. The recall was prompted by fears of listeria contamination and the discovery of contaminated processing equipment. The company's products have been linked to two deaths and dozens of illnesses since 2014.

The recall includes more than 60 soft cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream sold under various brand names, including Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, and El Huache. The products were distributed nationwide in the United States and Canada.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated the outbreak and found that it included cases dating back to 2014. The CDC's investigation identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but initially, there was not enough information to pinpoint a specific brand. However, new illnesses reported in December 2023 and the discovery of listeria in a cheese sample from Rizo-López Foods led to the identification of the source.

The recall has impacted food service groups and retailers across 15 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised to discard them immediately and thoroughly clean their refrigerators, counters, and other contact surfaces. Listeria can survive in refrigerated environments and easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

The CDC also recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms of listeriosis, such as muscle aches, fever, and tiredness, should contact their healthcare provider. Listeria infections can cause serious illness and even lead to rare cases of death, especially in pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Brie cheese pulled from shelves in 12 states

Six types of Brie cheese recalled in 12 states

Savencia Cheese USA has recalled six types of Brie cheese in 12 states, including New Jersey, due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was initiated after routine testing of the processing equipment at the plant where the cheese is manufactured found listeria contamination.

No reported illnesses or deaths

No illnesses or deaths have been reported in connection with the recall. The cheeses had limited distribution in stores across the United States, with only a few supermarkets, including Aldi and Market Basket, carrying the affected products.

Consumers advised to return recalled cheeses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers who have purchased the recalled cheeses to refrain from consuming them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria monocytogenes risks

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Affected products

The recall affects the following products:

• Emporium Selection Brie, 12/8oz Brie
• Supreme Oval 7oz, 6/7oz
• La Bonne Vie Brie, 6/8oz
• La Bonne Vie Camembert, 6/8oz
• 12/8oz Industrial Brie
• Market Basket Brie 6/8oz

Listeria concerns in cheese

Listeria concerns have prompted the recall of several cheese products in recent months. In March 2024, Sargento recalled thousands of cases of shredded cheese across 15 states due to potential listeria contamination. This recall was a result of Rizo-López Foods Inc., a Sargento supplier, recalling its dairy products the previous month. The varieties of cheese affected by the Sargento recall included cotija, parmesan, Swiss, and Monterey Jack, among others.

In February 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. of Modesto, California. The outbreak included cases dating back to 2014 and resulted in two deaths and several hospitalizations. The investigation led to the recall of various dairy products and products made with recalled dairy, including cheese enchiladas, chicken tortilla soup, and chicken street taco kits.

In November 2024, Savencia Cheese USA also recalled several types of soft ripened cheeses due to potential listeria contamination. The recall included Emporium Selection Brie, La Bonne Vie Brie, and Market Basket Brie, among others. These cheeses had limited distribution in the United States, but retailers such as Aldi and Market Basket pulled the affected products from their shelves.

Listeria is a foodborne illness that can cause serious infections in young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, and nausea, listeria infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. It is important for consumers who have purchased recalled products to discard them and thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated products.

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