The Reser’s recall includes 22,000 pounds of ham, chicken, and beef products. Testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed possible Listeria contamination. The meat was used in numerous ready-to-eat-products distributed throughout the US and Canada.
Although no illness was reported, the recall is being conducted a precaution. In most cases, the organism causes short-term symptoms including abdominal cramping, nausea, and diarrhea, headache, and high fever.
Listeria can cause serious illness or death in infants, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, Listeria can cause serious complications for women who are pregnant.
As reported by the FDA , the products were manufactured and packaged in Reser’s Fine Foods’ Topeka, Kansas, facility. Products included in the recall are identified by the use-by-date and plant identification code. The Topeka plant code is “20” and the affected products have expiration dates between October 5, 2013 and March 17, 2014.
The full list includes prepared salads, dips, side dishes, and desserts. The products were sold under numerous labels including 7-11, Yoders, Sav A Lot, Target, Miller’s, and Deli Design. The complete Reser’s recall list is available on the FDA’s website.
Consumers who are concerned about illness should contact their doctor for medical advice. The FDA suggests discarding the recalled products, or returning them to the store for a refund.
According to the CDC , Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria commonly occurring in water and soil. Infected animals are often asymptomatic , making infection difficult to detect. Although outbreaks are rare, the bacteria is usually transmitted to humans through tainted meat .
Listeria is usually killed through the process of pasteurization or cooking. Unfortunately, ready-to-eat foods may become contaminated between the pasteurizing and packaging processes.
Consumers with questions about the Reser’s recall are encouraged to contact the manufacturer’s hotline at 1-888-257-7913 8am-8pm EST.
[Image via Wikimedia ]
