Understanding the March 2024 Foodservice Recall
The most recent event concerning Sargento cheese involved a voluntary recall in March 2024. This recall primarily affected the company's foodservice and ingredients products, not consumer-branded items found in grocery stores. Sargento's decision was a precautionary measure linked to a recall by their supplier, Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc., who recalled Cotija cheese due to a Listeria outbreak.
The Rizo-Lopez Foods Connection
Upon learning of the supplier's recall, Sargento investigated and identified products that contained or were packaged on the same lines as the potentially contaminated cheese from Rizo-Lopez Foods. These products were then voluntarily recalled, and Sargento terminated its business relationship with the supplier.
Recalled Products and Customers in 2024
The affected products in this recall were intended for business-to-business customers, such as distributors and food service providers, in several states. This recall did not involve Sargento's retail cheese products sold directly to consumers. Affected shredded cheese types included Cotija, Parmesan, Swiss, Asiago, Monterey Jack, White Cheddar, Cheddar, Nacho and Taco Blend, and Italian Cheese Blend.
The February 2017 Retail Recall
Before the 2024 incident, Sargento conducted a separate, larger recall in February 2017 that did impact retail consumer products. This recall was also due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, but the supplier involved was Indiana-based Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC. The affected retail products included several varieties of sliced and shredded cheeses. More details about the specific affected products in the 2017 recall can be found on {Link: Food Safety News https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/02/listeria-found-in-cheese-recalls-by-sargento-meijer-others/}.
Sargento also proactively recalled additional products packaged on the same lines out of caution and ended its relationship with Deutsch Kase Haus.
How to Identify Recalled Sargento Cheeses
To determine if a product has been recalled, check official notices and specific product details:
- Product Description: Ensure the cheese type matches the recalled item and note the distinction between retail and foodservice products.
- Use-by or Sell-by Date: Check the date ranges specified in recall notices.
- UPC Code: For the 2017 retail recall, specific UPC codes were crucial for identification.
- Official Sources: Always verify information on reputable websites like the FDA or the company's press page.
Comparison of Sargento Recalls: 2024 vs. 2017
| Feature | March 2024 Recall | February 2017 Recall |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Cause | Listeria monocytogenes | Listeria monocytogenes |
| Contaminating Supplier | Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. | Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC |
| Recalled Products | Shredded cheeses (Cotija, Parmesan, etc.) | Retail packages and shredded cheeses |
| Affected Market | Foodservice and ingredients customers only | Consumer retail products |
| Recall Initiated | Voluntarily by Sargento | Voluntarily by Sargento |
| Reported Illnesses | Linked to supplier's wider outbreak | No illnesses reported at the time |
Conclusion
Sargento has had product recalls, but it's important to differentiate between them. The March 2024 recall was for foodservice products only and did not impact retail items. The February 2017 recall, however, did involve specific consumer-branded cheeses. In both instances, Sargento voluntarily recalled products and ended relationships with the implicated suppliers. Consumers should stay informed through reliable sources like the FDA and check recall details such as product codes and dates. For official company information, visit {Link: Sargento website https://www.sargentofoods.com/our-stories/news-media/sargento-foods-corrects-false-recall-reports/}.
