A California cheese and dairy firm has been ordered to stop manufacturing within the wake of a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two folks and sickened dozens extra, the U.S. Division of Justice introduced on Wednesday. 

Rizo-López Meals and its homeowners have discontinued all operations associated to the getting ready and processing of meals, in line with an injunction authorized on Tuesday by the U.S. District Court docket for the Jap District.

Proof that surfaced earlier within the 12 months linked merchandise made by Modesto-based Rizo-López to the outbreak first detected greater than a decade in the past, in June of 2014, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. At the least 26 folks in 11 states have been stricken within the outbreak, with 23 hospitalized in consequence, together with two fatalities, mentioned the company.

One particular person died in California in 2017, and one other fatality occurred in Texas in 2020, the company said. The CDC investigated the outbreak in 2017 and 2021, however didn’t have sufficient data to determine a selected model.

The CDC and Meals and Drug Administration reopened an investigation in January after Hawaii officers detected listeria in a pattern of Rizo Brothers Aged Cotija. That prompted a restricted recall, which in February was expanded to incorporate greater than 60 merchandise bought nationwide.

“The Justice Division and FDA will proceed to work carefully on enforcement actions towards meals producers who fail to fulfill their obligations and put the well being of their prospects in danger,” Principal Deputy Assistant Legal professional Basic Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Division’s Civil Division, said in a information launch.

Listeria is almost certainly to have an effect on pregnant folks and newborns, folks 65 and older, and people with weakened immune methods, in line with the CDC. An infection signs sometimes begin inside two weeks of consuming contaminated meals and might embody fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. Extra severe instances can also embody headache, stiff neck, confusion, lack of steadiness and convulsions.