According to federal health officials, about 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon are being pulled from stores due to a potential listeria bacteria contamination, which can result in foodborne illnesses.
No illnesses have been confirmed to date, U.S. agriculture department officials said.
Kraft Heinz Food Company, located in Newberry, South Carolina, issued the recall for the turkey bacon that was prepared between April 24 and June 11. This decision came after the company’s lab tests suggested that the products might be contaminated with listeria.
The recall comprises several turkey bacon products that were distributed across stores in the United States, the British Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong.
- 12-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original with the UPC code 071871548601 printed on the package under the bar code. They have use-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 2 and the lot code RS40.
- 36-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original containing three 12-ounce packages of product with the UPC code 071871548748 printed on the package under the barcode. They include use-by dates from July 23 to Sept. 4 and lot codes RS19, RS40 and RS42.
- 48-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original containing four 12-ounce packages of product with the UPC code 071871548793 printed on the package under the barcode. They include use-by dates from July 18 to Sept. 4 and lot codes RS19, RS40 and RS42.
Consumers shouldn’t eat the products, which may be in their refrigerators or freezers. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Listeria infections can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who are pregnant or their newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
About 1,600 people get sick each year from listeria infections and about 260 die, the CDC said.
Federal officials in December said they were revamping protocols to prevent listeria infections after several high-profile outbreaks, including one linked to Boar’s Head deli meats that led to 10 deaths and more than 60 illnesses last year.
