(RxWiki News) A number of food products, including packaged potato and tuna salads, were recalled in October due to concerns about a bacteria called Listeria. The recalls have been expanded this week and now include a variety of additional meat products and salads.
Several meat food items, including chicken, ham and beef products, have been recalled by Reser's Fine Foods due to possible contamination with Listeria.
Consumers are urged to check product labels and discard recalled items.
"Be aware of "best by" dates on product packages."
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Reser's Fine Foods has recalled chicken, ham and beef products produced between September 5 and October 25 due to concerns about potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause an illness called listeriosis. Listeriosis tends to affect older people, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems, but it can sometimes affect other individuals.
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. According to CDC, Listeria infections can sometimes cause serious outcomes like miscarriage, septicemia (a severe, quickly progressing infection) and death.
The recently recalled items from Reser's Fine Foods include a number of products, like barbeque beans with beef, chicken salads and ham salads.
FSIS reported that the meat products should have the label “EST. 13520” or “P-13520” on the USDA inspection mark.
"Only products made at the Topeka, Kansas salad facility, also designated by the plant code #20 after the code date 'Use By Nov 03 13 #20' are affected by this recall," FSIS reported. "No other Reser’s facilities are involved in this action."
According to FSIS, the products were distributed to retailers and distributors across the US. No illnesses have been reported in connection to the recall, and FSIS noted that the recall expansion "was initiated by the firm out of an abundance of caution."
CDC reported that consumers can help protect themselves from listeriosis by following safe food handling practices. This includes washing produce, cooking meat and poultry thoroughly, storing foods safely and keeping kitchen surfaces and utensils clean.
"Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can," CDC recommended. "Do not store the product in the refrigerator beyond the use-by date; follow USDA refrigerator storage time guidelines."
According to CDC, an estimated 1,600 people become ill and 260 people die each year in the US due to Listeria infections.
