Albertsons Companies, based in Boise, Idaho, has voluntarily recalled 12 ReadyMeals and several in-store made items 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, Fresh Creative Foods, which is a division of Reser’s Fine Foods. Reser’s Fine Foods has also announced a recall of several meal kits due to potential Listeria contamination, which was initiated after one of its ingredients suppliers BrucePac recently announced their own large recall of ready-to-eat chicken and meat products due to potential Listeria contamination.
Distribution
The ReadyMeals and in-store made items were sold through Albertson’s and affiliated grocery stores Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb, and Von’s.
The recalled products were sold in those retail stores in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
Product Details
| Product | UPC Code | Size | Sell by Dates | Stores | States |
| Ready Meals Street Tacos Chicken SS Cold | 27131600000 | Each | All dates up to and including October 13, 2024 | Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb, Vons | AK, AR, AZ, CA, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, ME, NH, NM, NV, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WY |
| Ready Meals Street Taco Meal Ckn Asada SS Cold | 29939100000 | ||||
| Ready Meals Enchilada Chicken Green Chili SS Cold | 21291600000 | ||||
| Ready Meals Street Taco Chicken SM SS Cold | 27179600000 | ||||
| Enchilada Chicken Green 6 Count SS Cold | 27163500000 | ||||
| Salad Ginger Chicken Broccoli FS | 27110800000 | 1 LB | |||
| Ready Meals Salad Ginger Chicken Broccoli SS | 29105700000 | Each | |||
| Salad Chicken Ginger Broccoli FS | 29233600000 | 1 LB | |||
| Salad Caesar Chicken FS | 29130700000 | All dates up to and including October 11, 2024 | |||
| Bowl Caesar Chicken | 29125500000 | Each | |||
| Ready Meals Salad Caesar Chicken SS | 21139700000 | 1 LB | |||
| Ready Meals Asian Stir Fry SS Cold | 21296500000 | 1 LB | All dates up to and including October 13, 2024 |
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 call the Albertsons Companies Customer Service Center at 877-723-3929 from Monday through Friday, 5 am to 9 pm Pacific Standard 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.
This recall by Albertsons Companies is connected to the much larger recall of various meat and chicken products by food supplier BrucePac announced last week. Other voluntary recalls linked to the BrucePac recall include:
- Recall of specific Red’s and Ruiz Foods products via Costco due to potential Listeria contamination
- Recall of Rana tagliatelle seasoned white chicken & mushroom sauce in Canada due to potential Listeria contamination
- Reser’s Fine Food recalls select meal kits due to potential Listeria contamination
Commenting on this article, one national Listeria lawyer said, “The list of recalls connected to BrucePac will likely continue to grow in the coming days. Listeria infection has the potential to be dangerous so I advise all consumers to search their homes for the impacted items and either return them or throw them away as soon as possible.”
