Tamales Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Primavera Nueva Inc. recalled certain 4-count tamales because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company announced the voluntary recall on December 17, 2025, and revised it on January 5, 2026. The tamales were made between October 10, 2024 and October 10, 2025. They carry date codes from 10/22 (year 2024) to 10/22 (year 2025). Consumers who have them should not consume the product and should discard it. FDA says the recall has been completed and FDA has terminated it. The termination date was June 24, 2026. This page covers which tamales were affected, why they were recalled, and what to do if you have them.

Latest Tamales Recall Updates

June 24, 2026: FDA Terminates the Recall

The enforcement report shows FDA terminated the recall of the Primavera Nueva Inc. tamales on June 24, 2026. All ten product lines in the report show the Terminated status and that termination date [1]. The recall notice on FDA’s site describes the recall as completed and terminated. The report gives December 12, 2025 as the date the recall was initiated.

January 28, 2026: FDA Classifies the Recall as Class II

FDA classified the recall as Class II on January 28, 2026, according to the report. The agency published the report on February 4, 2026. It lists ten product lines under event 98152. FDA’s recall definitions describe Class II as a situation where use may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. They also cover cases where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote [2].

January 8, 2026: Hong Kong Posts a Notice

Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety posted a notice on January 8, 2026 about the recall of Primavera Nueva Inc. tamales [3]. Its preliminary investigation did not identify local sale or import of the affected products. The Centre said acquisition of the products through online purchase or international travel cannot be excluded. Its inquiry was still ongoing when the notice was posted.

January 7, 2026: FDA Posts a Revised Announcement

FDA posted a revised company announcement about the tamales recall on January 7, 2026. Primavera Nueva Inc. had dated the announcement January 5, 2026. The revision added one variety, a seasonal item called Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar. That brought the list of recalled varieties to ten. The announcement says the recall is being conducted with the knowledge and cooperation of FDA.

December 17, 2025: Primavera Nueva Inc. Announces a Recall

Primavera Nueva Inc. announced a voluntary recall of select 4-count tamales because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination [4]. The company is based in Sonoma, CA. FDA posted the announcement the same day. The announcement says the company distributed the tamales to retail stores in California and Nevada. It tells consumers not to consume the product and to discard it. The tamales carry the brand name Primavera.

Which Tamales Are Affected?

Ten 4-count tamale varieties under the Primavera brand are affected:

• Roasted Green Chile & Jack Cheese: UPC 748732000034, recall number H-0432-2026, 31,672 packages of 4 tamales
• Black Bean Bonanza & Jack Cheese: UPC 748732000218, recall number H-0431-2026, 26,457 packages of 4 tamales
• Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles & Cheese: UPC 748732000232, recall number H-0423-2026, 30,327 packages of 4 tamales
• BBQ Chipotle Bean & White Cheddar: UPC 748732000256, recall number H-0427-2026, 27,964 packages of 4 tamales
• Mushroom Spinach & Salsa with Two Cheeses: UPC 748732000249, recall number H-0424-2026, 25,889 packages of 4 tamales
• Roasted Green Chile: UPC 748732000270, recall number H-0429-2026, 21,705 packages of 4 tamales
• Black Bean Bonanza: UPC 748732000287, recall number H-0428-2026, 16,790 packages of 4 tamales
• Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles: UPC 748732000300, recall number H-0430-2026, 18,876 packages of 4 tamales
• Mushroom Spinach & Salsa: UPC 748732000317, recall number H-0426-2026, 16,264 packages of 4 tamales
• Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar (a seasonal item): UPC 748732000263, recall number H-0425-2026, 9,656 packages of 4 tamales

Each recalled package holds 4 tamales and weighs 24 oz. The enforcement report describes the tamales as perishable, with the label Keep Refrigerated.

Why Were the Tamales Recalled?

The tamales were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FDA’s enforcement report gives the reason as “Potential contamination with biological hazards (Listeria monocytogenes).” The company’s announcement describes an FDA inspection on October 10, 2025. It says the agency determined that earlier production records did not consistently verify internal cooking temperatures. The company also said the products were made with a frozen ingredient labeled “Not Ready to Eat. Must Be Thoroughly Cooked Before Eating.” The company said it has fully corrected the issue. It said better cooking-temperature monitoring and verification have been in place since October 11, 2025. All of these statements come from the company’s announcement, not from FDA.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

The company said no illnesses have been reported to date. That statement appears in both company announcements. It is not an FDA tally of reports. The ten product lines in FDA’s enforcement report add up to 225,600 packages of 4 tamales. The report gives the U.S. distribution as California and Nevada. These figures count recalled packages. They do not count illnesses. A recall alone does not show that anyone was harmed. A report of illness also does not prove that the product caused it. The symptoms of listeriosis and when to seek care appear in the steps below.

What Should Consumers Do?

Take these steps if you have tamales from this recall:

1. Check your tamales for date codes 10/22 (year 2024) – 10/22 (year 2025).
2. Do not consume tamales with those date codes, and discard them.
3. Contact the company with questions: Araceli Santoyo, primaveranueva@aol.com or 707-939-9350, Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm Pacific.
4. Watch for symptoms of listeriosis. FDA says mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often last 1 to 3 days [5].
5. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you have symptoms that resemble a listeriosis infection.
6. Report an illness or adverse event online through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal, or call 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366).

Other Recalls, Warnings, or International Actions

The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety told consumers to discard the Primavera Nueva tamales and not consume them. Its January 8 notice lists the same ten varieties and date codes as the company announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I Ate the Recalled Tamales?

If you ate the recalled tamales, tell your health care provider what you ate, according to FDA. FDA also says people at high risk who develop symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Infection?

Symptoms of Listeria infection are more severe in the invasive form. FDA says invasive listeriosis may cause headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. During pregnancy, symptoms may be mild or unnoticed but can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Who Is Most at Risk If They Ate the Recalled Tamales?

People most at risk if they ate the recalled tamales, according to the company’s announcement, are young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The announcement adds that listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Does Freezing or Refrigerating the Recalled Tamales Remove the Risk?

Freezing or refrigerating the recalled tamales does not remove the Listeria concern, according to FDA. The agency says the bacteria can grow even under refrigeration and that freezing will not eliminate or reduce it. The recalled packages carry a Keep Refrigerated label.

Does the Tamales Recall Include the No Dairy Varieties?

The tamales recall includes the no dairy varieties. The enforcement report lists four of the ten varieties as no dairy: Roasted Green Chile, Black Bean Bonanza, Butternut Squash with Roasted Green Chiles, and Mushroom Spinach & Salsa. Their ingredient lists name non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening.

Are Other Primavera Nueva Products Affected by the Recall?

No other Primavera Nueva products are affected by the recall, according to the company’s announcement. FDA’s enforcement report spells the company name Prima Vera Nueva, Inc., while the recall notice spells it Primavera Nueva Inc.

References

1. https://api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=product_description:tamales+AND+report_date:[20251201+TO+20261231]&limit=30
2. https://www.fda.gov/safety/industry-guidance-recalls/recalls-background-and-definitions
3. https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/rc/subject/files/20260108_2.pdf
4. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primavera-nueva-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-select-4-count-tamales-because-possible-health-risk
5. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/listeria-listeriosis