Taco Tuesday Plans? Avoid These Products Recalled Over Listeria

UPDATE:

• J&J has also recalled ready-to-eat salads, meats, and wraps over Listeria concerns, according to a news release issued by USDA food inspectors on Feb. 26, 2021.

Prepping for taco Tuesday? Heads up, a dozen taco products and other foods have been recalled by J&J Distributing (J&J) over potential Listeria contamination. That’s according to a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, warning consumers to return the recalled taco dips, platters, and other foods to the store for a full refund.

The Minnesota distributor’s nationwide recall includes its Haug, Fresh Thyme, Tastebuds, Earthgrown, Caribou, and Kwik Trip brand products.

The following products are included in the recall:

• Haug Taco Tray 16 oz
• Haug Mini 7 Layer Dip Tray 22 oz
• Haug Taco Tray 16 oz
• Haug Taco Tray 29 oz
• Fresh Thyme Taco Dip 10oz
• Tastebuds Layered Fiesta Taco Dip 9 oz
• Tastebuds Taco Platter 26 oz
• Tastebuds Taco Platter 15.8 oz
• Tastebuds Taco Dip 9 oz
• Earthgrown Mini Taco Dip
• Caribou Turkey Sandwich 9 oz
• Kwik Trip Taco Dip 8oz
• Kwik Trip Taco Dip 15.8oz

The UPC and Code Date that consumers can use to identify recalled products can be found on the FDA website.

“The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a utensil used to produce the products,” states the FDA recall notice which also notes that there hasn’t been any illnesses reported.

J&J Ready-To-Eat Products Recalled

J&J Distributing has also recalled 33 pounds of ready-to-eat products, according to a recent news release by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Again, the products may contain Listeria, presenting a risk of severe illness or even death in certain individuals.

The recalled products include:

• 9-oz. plastic container of “cobb salad”
• 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato Wrap”
• 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Turkey Ranch Club Wrap”
• 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Chicken Caesar Wrap”
• 12-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Southwest Style Chicken Salad”
• 12-oz. plastic container of “Southwest Style Chicken Salad”

The recalled products were packaged on Feb. 23, 2021 and have a sell-by date of Feb. 28, 2021, notes the recall notice. All of the products’ labels include “EST. 38450” on the USDA inspection mark as well.  They are all fully cooked and non-shelf stable, says the agency.

The USDA notice says that lab testing revealed that the recalled products came into contact with a surface that tested positive for Listeria; however, no injuries have been reported at this time.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators,” states the recall notice. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

According to both recall notices, the products may be contaminated with Listeria – an organism that can cause severe illness, particularly in the very young and elderly. Even in healthy adults, Listeria can cause headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. Additionally, the infection can cause miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant people.

It is impossible to tell whether food is contaminated with Listeria just by taste or smell, according to Food Safety News. Individuals who have consumed food that may have been tainted with the organism should monitor themselves for symptoms of an infection and contact their healthcare provider, says the news report which also notes that it can take up to 70 days before symptoms of an infection develop.

Have you purchased any of the recalled products? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

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