WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California recently enforced a consent decree of permanent injunction against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc., a California-based food manufacturer, and its co-owners Edwin and Tomas Rizo. This legal action restricts the company from producing and distributing specific food items until compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and other federal standards is achieved.
The injunction follows an extensive investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with state and local agencies, into a prolonged, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. This outbreak was traced back to queso fresco and cotija cheeses produced by Rizo Lopez Foods in Modesto, California.
Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium responsible for the disease listeriosis, poses significant health risks, particularly to pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The illness can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, central nervous system damage, and even death.
The investigation was prompted by a positive test for L. monocytogenes in a sample of Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese collected by the Hawaii State Department of Health in January 2024. Genetic analysis linked this strain to previous clinical cases identified by the CDC. Subsequent FDA inspections of Rizo Lopez Foods’ facility uncovered the same bacterial strain, suggesting the contamination originated from the manufacturing environment. This finding led to the voluntary recall of all dairy products by the company in February 2024.
The CDC’s investigation revealed 26 illness cases across 11 states, resulting in 23 hospitalizations and two fatalities. Among the affected individuals, four were pregnant, with one experiencing a pregnancy loss.
Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Food safety is a critical responsibility. Producers of fresco type cheeses are responsible for producing safe food, including being in compliance with food safety laws and regulations. Through this unfortunate outbreak, we see what can happen when a company fails to meet their legal responsibilities.”
Under the consent decree, Rizo Lopez Foods and its co-owners are forbidden from engaging in the production, processing, or distribution of food products until they implement corrective actions and secure FDA approval. This prohibition extends to any associated parties aware of the decree and excludes pre-packaged foods.
The court’s decision highlights the necessity of stringent compliance with food safety regulations, emphasizing the FDA’s commitment to safeguarding consumer health and holding companies accountable for distributing contaminated products. As Rizo Lopez Foods works to meet the required standards, this case serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of adhering to health and safety protocols in the food industry.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.