Certain Foods Could Lead to Food Poisoning at Your Super Bowl Party

Pay close attention to the dairy items you're serving at your Super Bowl party this Sunday, as more products are being recalled following a fatal listeria food poisoning outbreak in the U.S. This update comes from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which released a statement on Friday.

The growing recall includes seven-layer bean dips, chicken enchiladas, cilantro salad dressings, and taco kits, all of which are sold at popular stores such as Costco, Trader Joe's, Safeway, and Whole Foods. These items are among the wide array of products manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., situated in Modesto, California, as revealed in the most recent FDA update.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified dairy items produced by Rizo Lopez Foods as the source of the listeria outbreak. This lethal outbreak has resulted in the death of two individuals and inflicted illness on over two dozen since 2014.

Although health officials investigated illnesses in both 2017 and 2021, they were only able to pinpoint the source following additional laboratory tests and inspections carried out when more people became sick in December - the officials shared.

Rizo Lopez Foods initiated a recall of more than 60 soft cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream on Monday, sold under brand names such as Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market.

The recalled products were distributed to food service providers, retailers, and deli counters nationwide in the U.S. The FDA's website provides a comprehensive list of these items.

So, what is a listeria infection?

Listeria infections can lead to severe illness and, in rare instances, death. Those who are pregnant, above the age of 65 or have compromised immune systems are at the most risk. Symptoms such as muscle aches, fever, and fatigue usually manifest within two weeks of consuming the tainted food, but this could vary.

According to the CDC, around 1,600 individuals contract listeria food poisoning each year.

Consumers who have the recalled items in their possession are advised by the CDC to dispose of them and thoroughly disinfect the refrigerator, counters, and other areas. Since Listeria can thrive in the refrigerator and easily infect other foods and surfaces, cleaning is crucial.

(Additional information provided by AP)

Rohan Mehta