According to News Week, Numerous meal kits have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium associated with food poisoning. Earlier this month, meal kits including tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, stir fry, and salads produced by Reser’s Fine Foods were recalled after it was discovered that they contained recalled chicken from ingredient supplier BrucePac that was contaminated with Listeria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified all impacted products under a Class II recall.
Understanding Class II Recall
A Class II recall indicates a situation where the use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
Reser’s Fine Food’s Meal Kit Recall Products
| Name | UPC | Number recalled |
|---|---|---|
| Bistro 28 Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38493 | 4723 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38496 | 2375 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Burrito Bowl Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38494 | 3611 cases |
| Bistro 28 Chicken Street Tacos Express Meal Kit. | 13454 38495 | 2880 cases |
| Don Pancho Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Express Meal Kit | 71117 12506 | 4179 cases |
| Don Pancho Chicken Quesadilla Express Meal Kit. | 71117 12507 | 6933 cases |
| Don Pancho Chicken Street Tacos Express Meal Kit | 71117 12500 | 7909 cases |
| Don Pancho Kit OP Street Taco Chicken NO Trays | 13454 38082 | 16,696 cases |
| Chicken Street Taco Kit with Trays | 13454 38080 | 2239 cases |
| Premium Street Taco Kit With Trays | 13454 38075 | 4100 cases |
| Caesar Salad Kit | 13454 35855 | 21,098 cases |
| Ginger Chicken Broccoli Salad Kit | 13454 38101 | 2409 cases |
| Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Kit O.P. No Trays | 13454 38191 | 646 cases |
| Asian Style Chicken Stir Fry Kit On Premise With Trays | 13454 38316 | 192 cases |
| Asian Style Stir Fry Single Serve OP no Trays | 13454 38407 | 420 cases |
| Home Chef Kit Street Taco Chicken With Tray | 40134 30435 | 6793 cases |
| Home Chef Asian Style Chicken Stir Fry | 40134 30852 | 4616 cases |
| HMS Hatch Chicken Enchilada Kit | 13454 38152 | 45,638 cases |
Affected Distribution Areas
The contaminated meal kits were distributed in 30 states across the country, including:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
For complete details on lot codes and best by dates of affected products, consumers are advised to check the FDA website.
Also read: $570K COVID Fraud: New Jersey Man Found Guilty
Risks Associated with Listeria
“Listeria is particularly dangerous as it can survive in refrigerators and freezers, and infected foods may not appear altered,” explains Michelle Anstey, a food safety expert from the National Sanitation Foundation. “Contaminated food can spread illness through human touch and poor sanitation.” Symptoms of Listeria infection may take days or weeks to manifest, with milder cases reporting symptoms like fever, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While many recover fully, the illness poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, and can lead to miscarriages.
Severe Symptoms and Complications
More severe cases of Listeria infection can result in symptoms such as headaches, neck stiffness, impaired coordination, confusion, and seizures. Some infections may require hospitalization due to complications.
Consumer Guidance
“Foodborne illnesses can have severe health impacts, including vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, brain and blood infections,” Anstey notes. Pregnant women, children, and older adults should exercise particular caution.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to consume them. Instead, they should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them. For any questions regarding the recalled products, consumers may contact Reser’s Fine Foods at 888-223-2127, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
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