Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Primavera Tamales recall: Potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 11 months ago Last updated

Potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes

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4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

What the notice says: Sonoma, CA — Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
December 17, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Primavera
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
California, Nevada
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Tamales

What the company announced

Sonoma, CA — Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Product was distributed by Primavera Nueva Inc. in California and Nevada to retail stores.

The following 4-count tamales, produced between October 10, 2024 and October 10, 2025 are included:

Roasted Green Chile & Jack Cheese

Black Bean Bonanza & Jack Cheese

Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles & Cheese

BBQ Chipotle Bean & White Cheddar

Mushroom Spinach & Salsa with Two Cheeses

Roasted Green Chile

Black Bean Bonanza

Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles

Mushroom Spinach & Salsa

Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar.

No other Primavera Nueva products are affected.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The products were made with a frozen ingredient labeled “Not Ready to Eat. Must Be Thoroughly Cooked Before Eating. ” During an FDA inspection on October 10, 2025, the agency determined that earlier production records did not consistently verify internal cooking temperatures needed to control potential biological hazards, including Listeria monocytogenes , n organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Primavera Nueva has fully corrected the issue—enhanced cooking-temperature monitoring and verification have been in place since October 11, 2025.

Consumer Guidance

Consumers who have tamales with date codes 10/22 (year 2024) - 10/22 (year 2025) should not consume the product and should discard it.

For questions, contact:

Araceli Santoyo — [email protected]

707 939 9350, Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm pacific

This voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge and cooperation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Original Press Release

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

How this recall developed

The company posted 2 announcements about this recall on fda.gov. They are kept together on this page: the products, codes and places listed above are combined from all of them, and the announcement text comes from the most recent English version.

  1. December 17, 2025 — First announcement. Primavera Nueva Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Select 4-Count Tamales Because of Possible Health Risk Read it on fda.gov
  2. January 5, 2026 — Updated announcement. Primavera Nueva Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Select 4-Count Tamales Because of Possible Health Risk- Revised to Include Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar, a Seasonal Item Read it on fda.gov

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 4 count

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

Primavera — This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. Wash and then sanitise anything the food touched: the fridge shelf and drawer, chopping boards, knives, counters and your hands. Listeria colonises cold surfaces and can survive there after the food is gone.
  3. If anyone in the household is pregnant, over 65 or immunocompromised, call a clinician for advice even if nobody feels ill. That conversation is quick and it is the whole point of a Listeria recall.
  4. Photograph the label, the lot code and the date mark before the pack leaves the house — that picture is what a refund claim runs on.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have tamales with date codes 10/22 (year 2024) - 10/22 (year 2025) should not consume the product and should discard it.

Company contact: Primavera Nueva Inc. — Consumers: Araceli Santoyo, (707) 939-9350, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Primavera other food products recalled?

Potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes Sonoma, CA — Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have tamales with date codes 10/22 (year 2024) - 10/22 (year 2025) should not consume the product and should discard it.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California, Nevada.

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