Taco Recall Affecting 30 States: FDA Alerts Consumers to Highest Risk Levels
According to News Week, A variety of meal kits, including tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, stir fry, and salads, have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall affects products produced by Reser’s Fine Foods that contained recalled chicken sourced from ingredient supplier BrucePac, which has been linked to Listeria contamination.
FDA Class II Recall Classification
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the recall as a Class II, indicating that exposure to the contaminated products may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, although the likelihood of serious adverse effects is considered remote.
Reser’s Fine Food’s Meal Kit Recall Products
| Name | UPC | Number recalled |
|---|---|---|
| Bistro 28 Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38493 | 4723 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38496 | 2375 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Burrito Bowl Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38494 | 3611 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Street Tacos Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38495 | 2880 cases |
| Don Pancho Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit | 71117 12506 | 4179 cases |
| Don Pancho Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit. | 71117 12507 | 6933 cases |
| Don Pancho Chicken Street Tacos Express Meal Kit | 71117 12500 | 7909 cases |
| Don Pancho Kit OP Street Taco Chicken NO Trays | 13454 38082 | 16,696 cases |
| Chicken Street Taco Kit with Trays | 13454 38080 | 2239 cases |
| Premium Street Taco Kit With Trays | 13454 38075 | 4100 cases |
| Caesar Salad Kit | 13454 35855 | 21,098 cases |
| Ginger Chicken Broccoli Salad Kit | 13454 38101 | 2409 cases |
| Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Kit O.P. No Trays | 13454 38191 | 646 cases |
| Asian Style Chicken Stir Fry Kit On Premise With Trays | 13454 38316 | 192 cases |
| Asian Style Stir Fry Single Serve OP no Trays | 13454 38407 | 420 cases |
| Home Chef Kit Street Taco Chicken With Tray | 40134 30435 | 6793 cases |
| Home Chef Asian Style Chicken Stir Fry | 40134 30852 | 4616 cases |
| HMS Hatch Chicken Enchilada Kit | 13454 38152 | 45,638 cases |
Affected States
The contaminated meal kits were distributed across 30 states, including:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
For detailed information on lot codes and best-by dates of the impacted products, consumers are advised to check the FDA website.
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The Dangers of Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is particularly hazardous as it can thrive in refrigeration and freezing conditions, often without affecting the food’s appearance, smell, or taste. Michelle Anstey, a food safety expert from the National Sanitation Foundation, emphasizes that handling contaminated food can lead to the spread of illness through inadequate sanitation practices.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can surface days or weeks after exposure and may include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
While many people recover without complications, Listeria can pose life-threatening risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The infection is also linked to miscarriages and can lead to severe symptoms, including headaches, neck stiffness, impaired coordination, confusion, and seizures.
Consumer Advisory
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are strongly advised not to consume them. Instead, they should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them. For questions regarding the recall, consumers can contact Reser’s Fine Foods at 888-223-2127, available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
