FDA releases list showing hundreds of retailers that received tainted products

Hundreds of stores received more than 110 recalled products related to an outbreak of Listeria Monocytogenes linked to products from Rizo Lopez in Fresno, CA.

The Food and Drug Administration has published a list of retailers that received the implicated products. The list includes Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Costco. According to the FDA, the list may not include all of the retailers that received the products. The list of stores can be found here.

The recalled products range from cheese to dips, salad dressings, enchiladas, and more.

The list of products recalled and photos of some of the 113 products can be found here. The products were sold under a wide variety of brands.

People have been sickened since 2014 in the outbreak, which has sickened 26 and put 23 in hospitals. Two patients have died. The sick people are spread across 11 states, from Washing to Florida.

Laboratory testing has linked sick people to foods from the production plant. It can be difficult to diagnose Listeria infections because it can take up to 70 days for people to become ill. Health investigators interview people, but it is hard to remember what foods they ate that may have been contaminated, making laboratory testing particularly important.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there are at least two people who go undiagnosed for every patient that is identified.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause severe and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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