Two people have died and 23 have been hospitalized in a years-long outbreak of listeria illness that’s finally been traced to one company’s cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert on Tuesday, linking the outbreak to dairy products sold by Rizo-López Foods, prompting a nationwide recall of the company’s products.

Rizo-López Foods, a company that markets its dairy products under various brand names, including Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, and Rio Grande, has been under scrutiny. The CDC’s statement indicated that interviews with affected individuals and recent Listeria findings in cheese and a production facility pointed to Rizo-López Foods’ queso fresco and cotija products as the source of the outbreak.

The outbreak, which has been ongoing since 2014, has resulted in illnesses in 11 states across the U.S., with California being the most affected. Listeria, a bacterium that can cause serious illness, is particularly hazardous to pregnant women, small children, and the elderly. The CDC reports that pregnant women are at a significantly higher risk of Listeria infection, with potential severe consequences for both the mother and the unborn child.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the recent outbreak is part of a long-standing issue that dates back a decade. Previous investigations in 2017 and 2021 did not yield enough information to pinpoint a specific brand, but a recent finding in January 2024 linked the listeria germ in Rizo Bros products to the prior illnesses.

With Listeria being the third leading cause of food-borne illness in the United States, the CDC’s alert serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with contaminated food products. The CDC emphasizes the heightened vulnerability of certain demographics, including pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, urging the public to be cautious.