Sargento has initiated a recall for certain shredded and grated cheese products sold in 15 states due to the potential contamination of listeria. The Food and Drug Administration's enforcement report identifies thousands of affected Sargento cheeses subject to the recall in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Sargento initiated the recall on February 5, and the process of retrieving the affected products is still ongoing. In an email to YEPPOST.com, the company clarified that the recalled products are not Sargento-branded cheeses but originate from one of the company's suppliers, Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc., based in California.
The Rizo-Lopez recall has also impacted various other cheese brands.
Sargento released a statement, specifying that the recall had only affected "a limited amount" of its food service and ingredients products.
"On February 5, out of an abundance of caution, Sargento voluntarily recalled the products that were supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and products that were packaged on the same lines," the statement explained. "This recall did not impact Sargento-branded products. Sargento immediately terminated its relationship with Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. and immediately notified our customers."
As per the FDA, the broader Rizo-Lopez recall has resulted in 26 reported illnesses, including two deaths and 23 hospitalizations as of February 22.
Sargento's food service and ingredients division, which operates on a business-to-business model, sells products to other food manufacturers and restaurants. Many of the impacted items in the recall do not carry the Sargento brand.
Among the most heavily affected products in the recall were white cheddar cheese items, totaling 2,633 cases. These products had best-by dates falling between March and June 2024. The recall was prompted by the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium known to cause a severe infection called listeriosis, as classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection poses significant risks, particularly to older adults, pregnant women, infants, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis include flu-like manifestations such as fever, muscle aches, and upset stomach. For a comprehensive list of the recalled cheese products, refer to the official recall notice.