Two separate recalls this week affect processed foods with potential contamination. The first, included below, is for frozen pizza with potential Listeria contamination. The second, at the end, is for frozen burritos with potential hard plastic contamination.
These two recalls include 21,220 pounds of frozen pizzas and 8,622 pounds of frozen burritos, which under the recalls should not be eaten, so will likely be discarded, wasted.
Both recalls are USDA “Class I” recalls: “This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1.888.674.6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10am to 4pm (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.
RBR Meat Company, Inc. Recalls Frozen Pizza Product Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
On March 15, 2017, RBR Meat Company, Inc., a Vernon, California establishment, recalled approximately 21,220 pounds of frozen pizza product that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The supreme frozen pizza item was produced on February 23, 2017. The following product is subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]
- 50.6-oz. corrugated box containing 1 shrink wrapped 16” pizza labeled as “Marketside Extra Large Supreme Pizza,” with lot code 20547.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 1821” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail distribution centers in California, Nevada, Utah and Washington.
The problem was discovered during routine sampling by the firm. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot. (Ed. Note: See above paragraph about not eating this recalled product.)
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Eunice Wu, QA Director, at 323.826.2144 x.190.
Ed. Note: The “Marketside” brand is primarily sold through Wal-Mart stores.
Flagship Food Group Recalls Frozen Burrito Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
On March 16, 2017, Flagship Food Group, an Albuquerque, New Mexico establishment, recalled approximately 8,622 pounds of a frozen burrito product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard clear plastic, the US Department of Agriculture’s FSIS announced.
The frozen breakfast burrito item was produced on September 22, 2016. The following product is subject to recall:
- 12-oz. 12”x5” paper card with plastic overwrap package labeled as “TRADER JOSE’S BREAKFAST BURRITOS Eggs, Potatoes, Cheese, Turkey Bacon,” lot code 266, SKU 96132 with package code A26616PFFG3 and case code 100-101280.
The product subject to recall bears establishment number “EST. P-45574” located on the product packaging. This item was shipped to retail distribution centers in Illinois and Pennsylvania.
The problem was discovered on March 15, 2017, when FSIS was notified by the company of three consumer complaints that were received on March 2, 3 and 9, 2017.
Of the three complaints received by the company, only one reported minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume them. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Jessica Haas, Customer Service Representative, at 800.292.9900.
