Cotija Cheese Recall Expanded to Include Dole, Fresh Express & More at Major Retailers

Trader Joe’s and Costco have issued recalls on products containing Cotija cheese. Here’s the scoop!

Hold the cheese! Your favorite food items may be subject to a recall.

Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and more have issued recalls for products containing Cotija cheese and queso fresco.

The products were sold nationwide and may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes which can cause serious or fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems.

According to a recent press release by Trader Joe’s, it can also impact healthy individuals who can experience symptoms like high fever, severe headache, abdominal discomfort, and stiffness. It can even cause miscarriage or stillbirths among pregnant women.

Due to the health risks, we highly encourage you to check your fridge and pantry for the recalled products, especially as you may not realize Cotija cheese is one of the ingredients.

Trader Joe’s products that are part of the recall:

• 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)

If you own any of these products, do not consume them. Throw them away or take them to the store for a refund.

Contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 if you have questions on these products. Customer service is open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 5 pm PT.

Costco products that are part of the recall:

• Southwest Wrap With Sauce (#29433) – All products sold between October 27, 2023 and February 6, 2024.

• Chicken Street Taco Kit (#11545 – Sold in BA, LA, & Select NW & SD locations) – All products sold between January 25, 2024 and February 6, 2024.

• Rojo’s 6 Layer Dip (#1345308 – Sold in NW & SE) – All products with use by dates of 3/22/24 or earlier

• Don Pancho Cilantro Lime Crema (#1341779 – Sold in NW) – All products with best-by dates from 3/21/24 to 4/4/24

• Don Pancho Crema Trio (#1796365 – Sold in NE) – All products with best-by dates from 3/11/24 to 3/26/24

•  BrightFarms Southwest Chipolte Crunch Kit (UPC 8-50051-82500-4) – All products with best-by dates from 12/31/24 to 2/22/24

• Ready Pac Bistro Queso Crunch Salad Kit (UPC 077745256139 – Sold in CA, NV, & HI) – All products with best-by dates from 1/13/24 to 2/18/24

Do not consume these products. Throw them away or take them to the store for a refund. Contact Costco at https://customerservice.costco.com/ or by phone at 800-774-2678 with any questions.

Dole products that are part of the recall:

• Dole Avocado Ranch Chopped Salad Kit (UPC 71430000915)

• Dole Avocado Ranch Ranch A L’Avocat Chopped Salad Kit (UPC 71430000922)

• Dole Cajun Ranch Chopped Salad Kit (UPC 71430002063)

• Dole Endless Summer Premium Kit Salad (UPC 71430010730)

• Dole Southwest Salad Premium Kit (UPC 71430017012)

• Dole Southwest Salad Salade Du Sud-Ouest (UPC 71430017111)

Walmart products that are part of the recall:

• Marketside Southwest Chopped Kit (UPC 681131305129 – Sold in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, MA, MD, ME, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, PA, RI, SD, TX, VT, & WY) – All products with best-by dates from 12/27/24 to 1/17/24

•  Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch (UPC 681131305440 – Sold in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, MA, MD, ME, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, PA, RI, SD, TX, VT, & WY) – All products with best-by dates from 2/3/24 to 2/19/24

• Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Salad Kit (UPC 071279309026 – Sold in CA, ID, UT, & WA) – All products with best-by dates from 2/28/24 to 4/4/24

Do not consume these products. Throw them away or take them to the store for a refund. Contact Ready Pac Foods at bfa-consumer.affairs@bonduelle.com. or by phone at 1.800.800.7822 with any questions.

Winco product that is part of the recall:

•  Ready Pac Bistro Fresh Mex Chopped Kit (UPC 077745256108 – Sold in AZ & CA) – All products with best-by dates from 1/18/24 to 2/18/24

Do not consume these products. Throw them away or take them to the store for a refund. Contact Ready Pac Foods at bfa-consumer.affairs@bonduelle.com. or by phone at 1.800.800.7822 with any questions.

The recall extends to other retailers and products.

Trader Joe’s and Costco are just the latest stores impacted by the potentially contaminated cheese.

The original recall was issued in January by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. for 344 cases of Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz), UPC 72724200043 batch number 4DW-23318 (sell by date 5/12/24).

The recall expanded in February to include several other dairy products sold under the following brand names:

• Dole
• Fresh Express
• H-E-B
• Marketside
• 365 Whole Foods Market
• President’s Choice
• Tio Francisco
• Don Francisco
• Rizo Bros
• Rio Grande
• Food City
• El Huache
• La Ordena
• San Carlos
• Campesino
• Santa Maria
• Dos Ranchitos
• Casa Cardenas
• Bright Farms
• Don Pancho
• Fresh & Ready Foods
• Jack & Olive
• Maverick Foods
• Ready Pac Bistro
• Rojos
• Sprig & Sprout
• The Perfect Bite Co

In addition to Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe’s, these items were sold nationwide at places like Safeway, Eagle, Vons, Tom Thumb, Vallarta, Food City, Sprouts, Shaw’s, and more.

You can view a full list of expanded items on the FDA website. We encourage you to check your pantry for these items and throw them out immediately.

For questions on any of these items, you can contact Rizo-López Foods, Inc. at 1-800-626-5587.

Have any illnesses been reported?

Yes. Consumers reported 26 illnesses and 2 deaths in relation to the Cotija cheese recalls. The CDC website posted a map detailing where these illnesses occurred and provided tips on what to do if exposed to listeria. These illnesses so far are not from Costco or Trader Joe’s customers.

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