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Costco recalls more items over listeria fears. What we know about the rise in recalls

Costco recalls more items over listeria fears. What we know about the rise in recalls

Wholesale giant Costco has recalled more items as a host of major retailers face possible listeria contamination in their food products.

The store joins other large supermarket chains such as Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Aldi, Walmart, HEB and Target. Trader Joe’s Salads, wraps and other chicken products were recently recalled. Target recalled pastas and burritos, while affected Costco products range from chicken taquitos to frozen waffles.

Costco is urging all shoppers who purchased the items between July and October to return them to its stores for a full refund. However, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illnesses due to consumption of these products.

One of the largest recalls comes from meat maker BrucePac, which processes millions of pounds of cooked protein each week. Its Durant, Oklahoma, facility recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry produced between May 31 and October 8, affecting nearly 12 million pounds of potentially contaminated meat which were distributed in major stores, restaurants and schools throughout the country.

Earlier this year, Boar’s Head Provisions recalled millions of pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry products from its plant in Jarratt, Virginia, which close in September. That outbreak has sickened 59 people in 19 states, and 10 people have died.

This week there was also first lawsuits against McDonald’s for an E. coli outbreak possibly linked to its chopped onions and beef burgers. McDonald’s has removed some products from stores.

But, the Food and Drug Administration told FOX Business on Friday that food recall events related to this fiscal year have been “generally consistent” with those of previous years.

“There may be a perception that the number of recalls has increased, particularly if a recall event has a large number of products affected,” management said in a statement provided to FOX Business, adding that these recalls are “critical to protecting to the public against harmful products.”

Food safety events are random, but health officials may be improving the linking of infections to each otheraccording to Rutgers University.

A sign is seen outside a Costco Wholesale store in Glenview, Illinois. Costco is one of many stores that has been hit by a major recall of meat and poultry products due to possible listeria contamination. (REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo)A sign is seen outside a Costco Wholesale store in Glenview, Illinois. Costco is one of many stores that has been hit by a major recall of meat and poultry products due to possible listeria contamination. (REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo)

A sign is seen outside a Costco Wholesale store in Glenview, Illinois. Costco is one of many stores that has been hit by a major recall of meat and poultry products due to possible listeria contamination. (REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo)

What Costco products have been affected?

Most recently, Costco has recalled Krustez Belgian Waffles, Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon, Rana Truffle Carbonara Chicken, Rana Roasted White Chicken and Portobello Mushroom Noodles, El Monterey Chicken Taquitos, Red’s mini chicken burritos, the Readywise Emergency Protein Cube 110 Servings and the Nutristore FD Deluxe Meat Variety 12 Pack.

The Nutristore, Red’s All Natural, Ruiz Foodservice’s El Monterey and Giovanni Rana Products are part of the BrucePac recall.

El Monterey Chicken and Cheese Taquitos were recalled by Costco. They were also part of the BrucePac recall. (USDA-FSIS)El Monterey Chicken and Cheese Taquitos were recalled by Costco. They were also part of the BrucePac recall. (USDA-FSIS)

El Monterey Chicken and Cheese Taquitos were recalled by Costco. They were also part of the BrucePac recall. (USDA-FSIS)

Acme Smoked Fish, which produces Kirkland Signature smoked salmon, said the recalled item was only on Costco shelves between Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. After that, he was eliminated.

Readywise said its recall was based on possible listeria contamination by one of its suppliers. It was not included in the 400-page BrucePac recall. list.

And Treehouse Foods, which makes the waffles, has expanded its recall to include all products manufactured in a single facility. This includes waffle products and Belgian pancakes.

Two styles of frozen waffles from TreeHouse Foods, Inc. are part of a voluntary recall. The company expanded its recall to include Belgian waffle and pancake products. ((TreeHouse Foods, Inc. via AP))Two styles of frozen waffles from TreeHouse Foods, Inc. are part of a voluntary recall. The company expanded its recall to include Belgian waffle and pancake products. ((TreeHouse Foods, Inc. via AP))

Two styles of frozen waffles from TreeHouse Foods, Inc. are part of a voluntary recall. The company expanded its recall to include Belgian waffle and pancake products. ((TreeHouse Foods, Inc. via AP))

Where were these products sold?

The Nutristore FD Deluxe Variety Meat, 12 Pack It was only sold at Costco.com. TreeHouse Foods said its recalled products were distributed to all states and provinces in both the U.S. and Canada. Kirkland’s Signature Smoked Salmon It was only in stores in Florida. Giovanni Rana products were also recalled in both the United States and Canada. It is not clear exactly where the other products were distributed. but costco keeps a list of recalled products for customers to verify, including lot codes and expiration dates of affected products.

Many schools that were affected by the BrucePac recall were in Pennsylvania.

Which companies were affected by the BrucePac recall?

Some of the brands that are part BrucePac’s retirement include: 7Eleven, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Kitchen, Atkins, Bell & Evans, Boston Market, Central Eats, Dole, Eat!, The MontereyFresh Express, Fusia, Giant Eagle, Gordon Choice, Good & Gather, Great Value, HEB, HMS, Home Chef, Jenny Craig, KitchenMate, Kroger, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Meijer, Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods, Michelina’s, Mom’s Meals, RaceTrac, Raley’s, Ready Meals, Red’s, Save Mart, Signature Select, Taylor Farms, Trader Joe’s, Udi’s, Wegmans and Whitsons.

Red's mini chicken burritos were also part of the BrucePac recall. To date, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consumption of these products. (USDA-FSIS)Red's mini chicken burritos were also part of the BrucePac recall. To date, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consumption of these products. (USDA-FSIS)

Red’s mini chicken burritos were also part of the BrucePac recall. To date, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consumption of these products. (USDA-FSIS)

However, the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that some of the recalled products are unbranded. To find those products on your listConsumers are encouraged to search by product type or name.

What causes listeria infection?

Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods, causing an infection known as listeriosis. Every year in the United States, 1,600 people are infected and 260 die. The bacteria can cause invasive diseases and intestinal diseases. Those most at risk of infection include pregnant people, newborns, people with weakened immune systems, and people 65 years of age and older. Other people can become infected, but rarely become seriously ill.

An aerial view shows the Boar's Head processing plant that was linked to a deadly food poisoning outbreak this summer in Jarratt, Virginia. The plant has since been closed. Listeria bacteria can contaminate many foods. ((AP Photo/Steve Helber, File))An aerial view shows the Boar's Head processing plant that was linked to a deadly food poisoning outbreak this summer in Jarratt, Virginia. The plant has since been closed. Listeria bacteria can contaminate many foods. ((AP Photo/Steve Helber, File))

An aerial view shows the Boar’s Head processing plant that was linked to a deadly food poisoning outbreak this summer in Jarratt, Virginia. The plant has since been closed. Listeria bacteria can contaminate many foods. ((AP Photo/Steve Helber, File))

What are the symptoms of infection?

Symptoms of listeria infection They vary depending on the person infected and the part of the body affected. For bacteria that have spread beyond the intestines, symptoms usually begin two weeks after eating contaminated food. Symptoms of this “invasive” disease for those who are not pregnant include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. Nearly 1 in 6 non-pregnant people die with invasive listeriosis. In pregnant people, symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Symptoms are usually mild in pregnant people, and some may never experience symptoms. However, infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Alternatively, intestinal disease is rarely diagnosed. Laboratories do not regularly test listeria samples from patients. Symptoms of intestinal disease usually begin within 24 hours of eating foods contaminated with listeria and last up to three days. They are usually mild and may include diarrhea and vomiting.

How can people stay safe?

There are three things you can do to help prevent illness. First, cool the food to the proper temperature in the refrigerator. The appliance should be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 0 degrees. Secondly, ready-to-eat foods must be consumed before the expiration date listed on the package. The longer they are in the refrigerator, the more chance there is for listeria to grow. And third, keep the refrigerator clean to prevent listeria from growing anywhere else.

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