MN Food Processor Recalls Taco Products After Positive Listeria Test on Food Contact Surface

J&J Distributing of St. Paul, MN, is recalling multiple products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a utensil used to produce the products.  There have been no reported illness to date.

The facility is a dual jurisdiction facility, falling under both FDA and USDA, so recall notices were posted under FDA and USDA.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jj-distributing-recalls-multiple-products-because-possible-health-risk
J&J Distributing Recalls Multiple Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 26, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  J&J Distributing
Brand Name: Haug, Fresh Tyme & more
Product Description:  Taco products

Company Announcement

J&J Distributing of St. Paul, MN, is recalling multiple products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled products follow:

Brand / Retailer DESCRIPTION UPC Code Date
Haug Taco Tray 16 oz 6-10014-16383-9 3-Mar
Haug Mini 7 Layer Dip Tray 22 oz 6-10014-16414-0 3-Mar
Haug Taco Tray 16 oz 6-10014-16415-7 3-Mar
Haug Taco Tray 29 oz 6-10014-16416-4 3-Mar
Fresh Thyme Taco Dip 10oz 8-41330-12368 3-Mar
Tastebuds Layered Fiesta Taco Dip 9 oz 0-38232-31611-8 3-Mar
Tastebuds Taco Platter 26 oz 0-38232-31683-5 3-Mar
Tastebuds Taco Platter 15.8 oz 0-38232-33235-4 3-Mar
Tastebuds Taco Dip 9 oz 0-38232-31612-5 3-Mar
Earthgrown Mini Taco Dip 6-10014-22341-0 3-Mar
Caribou Turkey Sandwich 9 oz 7-98493-17447-5 26-Feb
Kwik Trip Taco Dip 8oz 0-38232-36091-3 3-Mar
Kwik Trip Taco Dip 15.8oz 0-38232-36090-6 3-Mar
The recalled products were distributed nationwide in retail stores.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a utensil used to produce the products.

Consumers who have purchased any of the affected products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 651-221-0560, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2021/recall-007-2021-release

J&J Distributing Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Salads and Wrap Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Class I Recall

007-2021

Health Risk: High

Feb 26, 2021

Congressional and Public Affairs Felicia Thompson  (202) 720-9113

FSISpress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 – J&J Distributing, a St. Paul, Minn., establishment, is recalling approximately 33 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry salads and wrap products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fully cooked, not shelf stable salads and wraps were produced and packaged on Feb. 23, 2021 and list a “Sell-by” date of Feb. 28, 2021 on the packaging label. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]:

9-oz. plastic container of “COBB SALAD” on the product label.

10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato Wrap” on the label.

10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Turkey Ranch Club Wrap” on the label.

10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Chicken Caesar Wrap” on the label.

12-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.

12-oz. plastic container of “Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 38450” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm received confirmation from their third-party lab that a product contact surface sample returned positive for Lm.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Jason Jaynes, J&J Distributing Owner, at (651) 292-3822.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.