On Wednesday, July 2nd, almost 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon was recalled due to a potential listeria bacteria contamination. While there have been no reported illnesses at the time of reporting, federal health officials urge consumers to check their fridges for the turkey bacon products and dispose of them accordingly.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced in an alert that the fully cooked turkey bacon produced by Kraft Heinz Foods Company, parent company of Oscar Mayer, between April 24th through June 11 had tested positive for listeria contamination.
Consumers in possession of a 12-ounce package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original with the UPC code 071871548601 and a lot code of RS40 with a use-by date from July 18 to August 2 should toss the item as well as the 36-ounce product sold with a UPC code 071871548748 and lot codes of RS19, RS40, and RS42 with a use-by date between July 23 and September 4. The 48-ounce package of turkey bacon is also impacted with use-by dates from July 18 to September 4, the same lot code as the previous packages, and the UPC code 071871548793.
The recall alert said, “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. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.”
Listeria infection symptoms include muscle aches, headache, confusion, stiff neck, and fever. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost 2,000 people every year fall ill from listeria contamination, with 260 deaths annually.
Officials have recently ramped up protocols and investigations into listeria contaminations and outbreaks following last year’s Boar’s Head outbreak that led to the factory being shut down after almost 100 cases of illness and 10 deaths.
