A recall has been announced for imported ready-to-eat meat products that could be tainted with a potentially life-threatening bacteria.
Prime Line Distributors, Inc., based in Florida, and Ferrarini USA, Inc., based in New Jersey, are recalling 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork because of concerns it may be contaminated with Listeria, a bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea, muscle aches and serious illness.
The recall began after routine import re-inspection testing detected Listeria monocytogenes in the products.
Prime Line Distributors is recalling cardboard cases in assorted weights that contain two pieces of individually vacuum-packed guanciale pork jowl, a product of Italy.
The affected product carries lot number 263311US and a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027.
The company is also recalling various-weight packages of individually vacuum-packed guanciale pork jowl from Italy bearing lot number 263311US and the same May 16, 2027 best-if-used-by date.
That product can also be identified by an additional label on the packaging that reads “dok guanciale.”
Ferrarini USA is recalling cardboard cases of various weights containing two pieces of individually vacuum-packed guanciale pork jowl from Italy with the same lot number and best-by date.
The imported ready-to-eat products were produced in Italy on May 21, 2026, and imported into the US throughout July (stock image)
It is also recalling various weights of individually packaged Ferrarini guanciale dry-cured pork jowl with the same lot number and best-by date.
The imported ready-to-eat products were produced in Italy on May 21, 2026, and imported into the US throughout July.
All of the recalled products have the establishment number IT 1937 L CE inside the Italian mark of inspection or printed on the case label.
The Prime Line Distributors items were shipped to food service and retail locations in Florida.
The Ferrarini USA products were shipped to distributors and food service locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with consumption of the products.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is urging retailers and distributors to not sell or serve the recalled products.
The recalled products should be thrown away or returned to their place of purchase.
One of the recalled products over fears of contamination with listeria
Above, left, is the recalled item sold by Prime Line Distributors of Florida and above, right, is the recalled item sold by Ferrarini USA of New Jersey
Listeria, also called listeriosis, is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
It can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive refrigeration and other food preservation measures.
Many foods can harbor the bug, but it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as pre-packed sandwiches. Cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish, including sushi and pre-cut fruit, are also a risk.
While most of the 1,250 Americans infected with listeria each year recover on their own, the infection can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
About 250 Americans die of the infection each year, which can occur if the infection spreads beyond the gut and affects the central nervous system.
