Reser’s Fine Foods Recalls Select Meal Kits Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Reser’s Fine Foods, based in Beaverton, Oregon, has announced a voluntary recall of several meal kits due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.  

Background

The company is recalling the products because they contain chicken sourced from a third-party ingredient supplier, BrucePac.  BrucePac recently announced a large recall of ready-to-eat chicken and meat products due to potential Listeria contamination.

The company said that they are no longer using ingredients from the impacted BrucePac facility.

Distribution

The recalled meal kits were distributed in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

Product Details

Consumer Action

As with all food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected products even if they look or smell safe to eat.

Anyone in possession of the recalled products are requested to not sell, serve, or distribute them.

The affected product should be returned to the location of purchase for a refund or disposed of immediately.

Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact Reser’s Fine Foods at 888-223-2127, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5pm Pacific Time.

Health Risks

The recall notice did not say if there have been any reports of illness or injury in connection with the consumption of the impacted products. However, the recent recall notice from BrucePac did state there have not yet been any reported cases of illness.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations. Pregnant individuals, people aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant individuals, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of Listeriosis should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Commenting on this story, one national Listeria lawyer said, “Although no cases of Listeria infection have yet been reported I strongly advise any consumer in possession of the recalled products to return them to the store or throw them away immediately. To limit the chance of cross-contamination, consumers should also thoroughly sanitize any surface that came into contact with the products.”