Primavera Nueva Recalls Tamales Due to Potential Listeria Risk

SONOMA, Calif. (January 7, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its 4 count tamales due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after an inspection revealed that production records did not consistently verify the internal cooking temperatures necessary to eliminate biological hazards. This process failure poses a serious or life threatening risk to young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Primavera Tamale Recall: Quick Summary

Primavera Nueva Inc., a Sonoma based producer of artisanal Mexican foods, has issued a recall for various flavors of its 4 count tamales distributed to retail stores in California and Nevada. The recall covers products produced over a full year, from October 10, 2024, to October 10, 2025. The issue stems from a “Not Ready to Eat” frozen ingredient that may not have been cooked to a sufficient temperature during manufacturing. Consumers who have these tamales in their freezers are urged to discard them immediately or return them to the store for a refund.

What Happened?

The FDA reported that the recall was triggered following an agency inspection on October 10, 2025. Inspectors determined that the company’s production records for the past year did not consistently show that the tamales—specifically a frozen ingredient labeled “Not Ready to Eat”—reached the internal temperatures required to kill pathogens like Listeria.

In its recall announcement, Primavera Nueva Inc. stated that the issue has been fully corrected, with enhanced cooking temperature monitoring and verification protocols in place since October 11, 2025. The company confirmed that no illnesses have been reported to date.

Affected Products

The recall applies to 4 count packages of the following varieties, produced between October 10, 2024, and October 10, 2025.

Product Variety	Date Codes	Distribution
Roasted Green Chile & Jack Cheese	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Black Bean Bonanza & Jack Cheese	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles & Cheese	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
BBQ Chipotle Bean & White Cheddar	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Mushroom Spinach & Salsa with Two Cheeses	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Roasted Green Chile (Dairy Free)	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Black Bean Bonanza (Dairy Free)	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles (Dairy Free)	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Mushroom Spinach & Salsa (Dairy Free)	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV
Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar (Seasonal)	10/22 (2024) to 10/22 (2025)	CA, NV

What Caused the Issue?

According to the recall notice, the potential hazard arose from a failure in process control rather than a positive test on a finished product. The critical control point—cooking temperature—was not verified consistently in production records. Listeria monocytogenes is a resilient bacterium that can survive freezing and causes listeriosis, an infection characterized by high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The primary health risk is particularly acute for pregnant women, as Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Questions You Might Have

1. What brands are involved?Only “Primavera” brand tamales produced by Primavera Nueva Inc..
2. Are all flavors recalled?Most major flavors sold in 4 count packs are included, including the seasonal “Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar”.
3. How do I check the date?Look for date codes ranging from 10/22 (year 2024) through 10/22 (year 2025) on the packaging.
4. Is it safe if I cook them thoroughly?The FDA advises consumers not to consume the product and to discard it, regardless of reheating plans, due to the risk of cross contamination or insufficient kill steps in the home kitchen.
5. Where were they sold?Retail stores in California and Nevada.
6. Has anyone gotten sick?No illnesses have been reported to date.
7. What if I bought them recently?If the date code is after Oct 10, 2025, the product was made under the new, corrected protocols and is not part of the recall.
8. Can I get a refund?Yes, return the tamales to the store where you bought them for a refund.
9. Who made these tamales?Primavera Nueva Inc., a manufacturer based in Sonoma, California.
10. Who can I call?You can contact Araceli Santoyo at Primavera Nueva Inc. at 707-939-9350 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–3 pm PST).

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check your freezer: Look for 4 count packs of Primavera tamales.
• Verify dates: If the package falls within the Oct 2024 to Oct 2025 production window, do not eat it.
• Dispose safely: Throw the product away in a sealed container or return it to the retailer.
• Sanitize: Wash your hands and any surfaces the tamale package may have touched.

Behind the Brand

Primavera Nueva Inc., often referred to simply as “Primavera,” is a staple of the San Francisco Bay Area food scene. Founded in the early 1990s by Karen Waikiki (Taylor), the company began with a focus on authentic Mexican cuisine using stone ground masa made fresh daily. Known for their presence at the famous Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and distribution to high end grocers like Whole Foods and Good Eggs, Primavera emphasizes handmade quality and locally sourced ingredients. This recall represents a significant operational hiccup for a brand built on a reputation for artisanal care.

Other Relevant Recalls

This alert is part of a broader wave of Listeria related concerns in the food industry. Recently, Boss Dairy Farms recalled its Charlevoix Mild Cheddar Cheese after testing identified Listeria in a finished product. Similarly, The Ambriola Company issued a recall for Pecorino Romano Cheese due to the same pathogen. These incidents highlight the persistent challenge of controlling Listeria in refrigerated and frozen supply chains.

In another recent case involving prepared foods, Albertsons recalled specific deli items containing bowtie pasta due to potential Listeria contamination. This recall, initiated in late 2025, affected store made salads sold under banners like Safeway and Vons across multiple states. The issue was traced back to a supplier, Nate’s Fine Foods, underscoring how contamination in a single ingredient can trigger widespread recalls for retailers.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, noted:

“For artisanal brands like Primavera, process documentation is just as critical as ingredient quality. A gap in temperature verification doesn’t just risk safety; it risks the hard earned trust of loyal local customers.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Listeria is unique among foodborne pathogens because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures. While cooking food to 165°F typically kills the bacteria, the risk of cross contamination during handling remains. Consumers should always follow cooking instructions for frozen foods rigorously and verify the internal temperature with a food thermometer, especially for “Not Ready to Eat” items.

For more information or to report a concern about a food product, you can visit our contact page at https://source86.com/contact/.