Tips for managing food recalls and preventing foodborne illnesses
Approximately 128,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die from preventable foodborne diseases each year.
Payton, USA Today
Kraft Heinz is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that could be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), announced on Wednesday, July 2nd.
According to an announcement from FSIS, the bacon from the affected turkey was produced from April 24th to June 11th. According to public health agencies, shocking products with USDA inspection marks on the front of the label were shipped to retailers nationwide, with some exported to the UK’s Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.
FSI added that people who consumed recalled turkey bacon have no confirmed reports of “side effects.” The agency suggests that anyone concerned about the possibility of illness should contact their healthcare provider.
Which Kraft Heinz Turkish Bacon Products Recalled?
Here are the recalled Kraft Heinz Turkey bacon products:
- 12 oz vacuum package from “Oscar Mayer Turkish Bacon Original”, Universal Product Code (UPC) “071871548601”, will be “used” from “August 2, 2025” to “Use” date on the “Use” date from “August 2, 2025” to “Use” date.
- A 36 oz package containing three 12 oz vacuum package packages from “Oscar Mayer Turkish Bacon Original”. “RS40” or “RS42”.
- It features a 48-ounce package that includes four 12-ounce vacuum packing packages from the “Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original” and an “Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original” with the UPC “071871548793”. “RS42.”
How was Listeria discovered in Kraftheinz Turkish Bacon?
According to FSIS, the issue was discovered after the company’s testing showed that the product could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogen.
Consuming foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogen can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that affects mostly the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
What are the symptoms of Listeriosis?
According to the FSI, symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and cramps.
Infections that are invasive and potentially spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and life-threatening infections in pregnant women’s newborns, FSIS said. Serious and sometimes fatal infections are also possible in elderly people and those with weak immune systems.
According to public health agencies, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated foods is encouraged to seek medical care and tell their healthcare providers about eating contaminated foods.
Listeriosis is commonly treated with antibiotics.
What should people do if they have recalled turkey bacon?
Anyone who has purchased the recalled Kraft Heinz turkey bacon products is being urged not to consume them, FSI said. The product must be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase immediately, the agency added.
“FSI is concerned that some products may be in consumer refrigerators or freezers,” the agency said.
