Trader Joe’s is recalling products that contain cotija cheese due to an ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes.
Health officials are investigating an ongoing outbreak with cases that date back to 2014. There have been 26 cases, 23 hospitalizations, and two deaths linked to this outbreak. Nearly a dozen states have had cases, but Michigan is not one of them.
A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted in January. The company has recalled one batch of cheese and the CDC and FDA are investigating.
Some of that brand’s cotija cheese was used to make products that Trader Joe’s sells. Because of that, those products are being recalled.
The products listed below were sold in Trader Joe’s stores nationwide:
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292)
- Trader Joe’s Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420)
- Trader Joe’s Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768)
- Trader Joe’s Southwest Salad (SKU 56077)
No illnesses have been linked to Trader Joe’s products.
If you purchased any of those products you should throw them away or return them to Trader Joe’s for a full refund.
Customers with questions can contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at 626-599-3817 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. EST.
---> Related: Cheese, other recalled dairy products linked to Listeria outbreak
What is Listeria?
Listeria, or Listeriosis, is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
It is estimated that around 1,600 people get listeriosis each year and about 260 of them die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of intestinal illness
Intestinal illness is not often diagnosed because laboratories do not often test stool samples for Listeria.
Symptoms usually start within 24 hours after eating contaminated food. The symptoms usually last one to three days.
The symptoms are usually mild, but some people with intestinal illness develop invasive illness, which can be more severe.
Symptoms of intestinal illness include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Symptoms of invasive illness
Invasive illness means the bacteria have spread beyond the intestines. Symptoms of invasive illness usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria.
People who are pregnant may experience different symptoms than people who are not pregnant. Symptoms in pregnant people are usually mild, and some pregnant people never even have symptoms.
Infection during pregnancy usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
People who are pregnant may experience the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Symptoms in people who are not pregnant can be severe. Almost 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis die.
People who are not pregnant may experience the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
