Kraft Heinz is pulling nearly 368,000 pounds of its Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon products off store shelves after internal lab tests flagged possible listeria contamination, federal officials announced Wednesday. The turkey bacon, which was produced between April 24 and June 11 in Newberry, South Carolina, was distributed across the U.S. as well as in the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.
So far, no illnesses have been linked to the products, but officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers immediately. Listeria can cause severe food poisoning and poses a serious threat to older adults, pregnant people, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.
The recall covers multiple package sizes and use-by dates:
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12-ounce packages with UPC 071871548601, use-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 2, and lot code RS40
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36-ounce packages (3 x 12 oz) with UPC 071871548748, use-by dates from July 23 to Sept. 4, and lot codes RS19, RS40, RS42
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48-ounce packages (4 x 12 oz) with UPC 071871548793, use-by dates from July 18 to Sept. 4, and lot codes RS19, RS40, RS42
Consumers are being advised not to eat any of these items. Instead, they should throw them out or return them to the store where they were purchased. Listeria can be particularly dangerous, causing symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, confusion, muscle aches, and even convulsions.
Roughly 1,600 people are affected by listeria infections in the U.S. each year, with about 260 resulting in death. This recall comes as federal officials continue overhauling food safety protocols after last year’s deadly outbreak tied to deli meats, including Boar’s Head, that killed 10 and sickened dozens more.
If Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon is a staple in your home, double-check your labels now.
