According to Newsweek , In November 2024, twelve food products were issued the highest risk-level recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), labeled as Class I recalls. These recalls are made when there is a “reasonable probability” that consuming or coming into contact with the product could lead to “serious adverse health consequences or death.” The FDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) manage food recalls for a variety of reasons, including contamination with harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens, mislabeling, and foreign object contamination.
This month, the primary cause for Class I recalls has been contamination with harmful bacteria, specifically Listeria and E. coli, which were responsible for nine of the recalls. Both bacteria have caused deadly outbreaks across the U.S. in recent years.
“Foodborne diseases can be quite serious—even deadly,” stated Lisa R. Robinson, vice president of global food safety and public health at Ecolab. “The challenge is that the pathogens responsible for foodborne illness are naturally occurring. Salmonella and E. coli, for instance, are found in the gut biome of chickens and cattle, while listeria can be tracked from soil and fields.”
In addition to bacterial contamination, two products were recalled due to undeclared allergens—specifically sesame and egg. These allergens can cause severe and potentially fatal reactions, making it crucial for all products to clearly label the presence of the nine major allergens, which include peanuts, wheat, milk, tree nuts, soy, egg, shellfish, fish, and sesame.
The following products were recalled under Class I status in November:
- Shirakiku Korean Seasoned Seaweed – undeclared allergen (sesame)
- Joseph Seviroli: Chicken Alfredo Kit – Listeria contamination
- Dakota Toms: Pepperjack Cheese Burger – Listeria contamination
- Dakota Toms: Bacon Cheeseburger – Listeria contamination
- Dakota Toms: The Gambler – Listeria contamination
- Taylor Farms: Raw Yellow Onions (sliced/diced/slivered/ringed) – E. coli contamination
- Taylor Farms: Raw Yellow Onions (whole and unpeeled) – E. coli contamination (5lb and 50lb packages)
- Taylor Farms: Raw Yellow Onions (whole and peeled) – E. coli contamination
- FreshPoint: Fresh Onions (julienne/diced) – E. coli contamination
- IMPERIALFRESH PROC FAJITA GRN PEPRED PEP – E. coli contamination
- Bowl & Basket: Onion Soup and Dip Mix – undeclared allergen (egg)
These recalls affect at least 26 states, with some states seeing multiple recalls. For example, eight states—Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming—are involved in five Class I recalls. Meanwhile, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota each have four, and other states like California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio are each impacted by three or fewer recalls.
These are the recalls classified in November, but other food items from previous months are also still being withdrawn from the market. Consumers are encouraged to stay informed and check the FDA’s recall notices regularly to ensure their safety.
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