Meal Kits, Enoki Mushrooms Recalled Over Possible Listeria Contamination

A ready-to-eat chicken meal kit from Reser’s Fine Foods. FDA

Multiple brands of possibly contaminated chicken and mushroom products are being withdrawn from the market amid concerns that they pose a risk to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

Oregon-based Reser’s Fine Foods announced the voluntary recall of a “limited number of meal kits due to the inclusion of recalled chicken from an outside ingredient supplier (BrucePac),” according to an Oct. 11 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This past week, Oklahoma-based BrucePac pulled nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry from the market, citing possible adulteration with listeria monocytogenes bacteria. While Reser’s did not say whether any contamination had been found in their meal kits, the company said it initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”

“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the notice said.

“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

The recalled items include enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas sold under the brand name Don Pancho as well as burrito bowls, tacos, and quesadillas sold with the Bistro 28 brand name.

The items weigh 22–27 ounces and were distributed in 30 U.S. states with a “use by” date range of Sept. 13 to Nov. 21.

“The kits were distributed in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NE, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WY,” the FDA said.

Reser’s said it has stopped using ingredients from BrucePac’s affected facility.

“Consumers who have purchased these kits should not consume any part of the kits; rather, they may return it to the store for a full refund or discard the item,” the company announcement said.

Customers with questions about the product withdrawals can call Reser’s Fine Foods at 888-223-2127.

Mushroom Recall

Also on Oct. 11, Enoki King Mushroom Farm of California recalled one lot of its mushrooms after routine testing by the Maryland State Department of Health found listeria monocytogenes in a 5.3-ounce package.

“The recalled Enoki comes in a clear plastic package with the description ‘Enoki Mushroom’ in English and French with the lot code, 4877, on the front in black ink,” the recall notice said.

“At the back, there is UPC code 860011505600. The products were distributed from CA and NY through produce distributors or wholesalers to retail stores nationwide.”

The company has suspended distribution of the product. No illnesses related to the item have so far been reported, the company said.

Risks of Listeria Infection

Listeria infects about 1,600 Americans annually, with 260 people dying from the illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the country.

According to the FDA, most people who contract listeria do not get seriously ill. However, high-risk individuals could face serious complications.

Pregnant women may feel only a mild, flu-like illness. However, the disease can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight among newborns, and death of the unborn baby.

People with weak immune systems who face a higher risk of listeria infection include those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, transplants, and diabetes.

“Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later,” the FDA states.

“Although most people will recover from a foodborne illness within a short period of time, some can develop chronic, severe, or even life-threatening health problems. Foodborne illness can sometimes be confused with other illnesses that have similar symptoms.”

The agency advises thorough handwashing before, during, and after food handling. All items that come into contact with food, such as cutting boards and utensils, should be cleaned as well.

Listeria infection is typically diagnosed when a lab test grows it from biological samples of a person. Infected people who suffer from diarrhea “should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration,” the CDC states.