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ALBERTSONS shoppers across four states have been issued an urgent recall warning.
It comes after the popular lunch item was found to be contaminated with a potentially deadly bacteria.
The FDA announced on Monday that Albertsons has issued a recall, emphasizing the need for customers of its affiliated stores to heed the alert.
The recall impacts Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb stores.
It affects a number of items containing tuna salad products supplied by Reser’s Fine Foods.
The supplier had alerted Albertsons to the possibility that some of the lunch items were contaminated with Listeria.
This bacteria can cause Listeriosis, a disease that can be deadly for a select number of groups.
These are notably, infants, people over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems.
For others, it can cause a range of uncomfortable short-term symptoms lasting around three days.
The bacteria was detected in breadcrumbs used by Reser’s in their tuna salad items.
The company advised, “Consumers who have purchased these items should refrain from consuming them and either dispose of the products or return them to their local store for a full refund.”
The FDA further advised, “In such cases, anyone who purchased or received any recalled products should exercise extra caution by cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that might have contacted these items to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.”
“Listeria monocytogenes can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.”
So far no symptoms or reactions have been reported as a result of consuming these products, the statement said.
The recall impacts 10 items sold at Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
The following products must not be eaten and can be returned for a refund:
- RM DUO TUNA SALAD W/CRACKER S
- RM SALAD TUNA PREMIUM SS
- RM SNACKER TRAY TUNA SALAD
- RM SNDWCH TUNA SALAD CROISSANT SS COLD
- RM TUNA SALAD OVER BED OF LETTUCE SS
- SALAD TUNA PREMIUM
- TRAY CROISSANT MINI SALAD 16 IN
- TRAY CROISSANT MINI SALAD 18 IN
- TRAY SALAD SANDWICH 12 IN
- TRAY SALAD SANDWICH 16 IN
The affected sell thru dates range from July 16 to July 25.
Those concerned that they have a recalled item can find the exact dates and UPC codes here on the FDA website.
All details can be found on the product information labels attached to the packaging.
Anyone concerned about possible symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center is also available to shoppers Monday to Friday for any questions about the recall.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection
Listeria is a bacteria that leads to a disease called listeriosis.
The bacteria is found in many places, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals, and it thrives in unsanitary food production conditions, leading to contamination of food.
Symptoms of listeriosis include:
- For the less severe, non-invasive listeriosis, mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur, and often persist for 1 to 3 days.
- For the more severe, life-threatening invasive form of the disease, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
- Invasive listeriosis is a potentially life-threatening sickness, especially for newborns, adults over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms of listeriosis during pregnancy may be mild or go unnoticed.
- However, it can lead to severe outcomes, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Anyone who suspects they’ve developed symptoms of a listeriosis infection is urged to contact their healthcare provider.
Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
