Deli Foods Recalled Amid ReadyMeals Listeria Contamination Warning
According to News Week, Twelve types of ReadyMeals and store-made deli items have been recalled over concerns of possible listeria contamination from a recalled chicken ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall, warning consumers about the affected products.
Reason for the Recall: Contaminated Chicken Ingredient
The recall was initiated after routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found Listeria monocytogenes in a ready-to-eat chicken ingredient. This ingredient, which was supplied by BrucePac of Durant, Oklahoma, was used in several prepared food items sold at multiple grocery chains.
Voluntary Recall by Albertsons Companies
On October 11, 2024, Albertsons Companies voluntarily recalled the affected products. The recall applies to products sold at several major grocery chains, including:
- Albertsons
- Carrs-Safeway
- Eagle
- Jewel-Osco
- Pavilions
- Randalls
- Safeway
- Shaw’s Star Market
- Tom Thumb
- Vons
States Affected by the Recall
The potentially impacted states include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wyoming
Also read: Are You Eligible? Understanding Biden’s Latest Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Full List of Recalled Products
The following ReadyMeals and deli items are part of the recall:
- READY MEALS STREET TACOS CHICKEN SS COLD (UPC: 27131600000)
- READY MEALS STREET TACO MEAL CKN ASADA SS COLD (UPC: 29939100000)
- READY MEALS ENCHILADA CHICKEN GREEN CHILI SS COLD (UPC: 21291600000)
- READY MEALS STREET TACO MEAL CHICKEN SM SS COLD (UPC: 27179600000)
- ENCHILADA CHICKEN GREEN 6CT SS COLD (UPC: 27163500000)
- SALAD GINGER CHICKEN BROCCOLI FS (UPC: 27110800000)
- READY MEALS SALAD GINGER CHICKEN BROCCOLI SS (UPC: 29105700000)
- SALAD CHICKEN GINGER BROCCOLI FS (UPC: 29233600000)
- SALAD CAESAR CHICKEN FS (UPC: 29130700000)
- BOWL CAESAR CHICKEN (UPC: 29125500000)
- READY MEALS SALAD CAESAR CHICKEN SS (UPC: 21139700000)
- READY MEALS ASIAN STIR FRY SS COLD (UPC: 21296500000)
The sell-thru dates for these products extend up to and including October 13, 2024, except for products 9, 10, and 11, which have sell-thru dates up to October 11, 2024.
FDA’s Warning to Consumers
The FDA is urging consumers to not consume the affected products. Consumers should either dispose of the products or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. The FDA highlighted that Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Risks of Listeria Monocytogenes Infection
Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that can lead to serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
For healthy individuals, symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Severe headaches
- Stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
In pregnant women, listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Other FDA Recalls: Ice Cream and Potato Salad
On Friday, the FDA classified a recall of ice cream sold by Today’s Frozen Desserts, Inc. as a Class II recall after it was found to contain undeclared food colorings, including Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF). This recall level is issued when a product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.
The FDA also issued a Class I recall for a potato salad product produced by Lemonland Food Corp, the most severe recall classification. This recall is for situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the product could cause serious health consequences or death.
