Pork Product Recall Due to Listeria Concerns

More than 1,500 pounds of ready-to-eat pork products have been recalled due to potential listeria contamination. This recall includes a total of about 1,513 pounds of dry-cured pork jowl products, also known as guanciale, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sunday.

The recall is categorized as a Class I recall, which is the USDA’s most serious classification. It suggests there is a significant risk that consuming these products could lead to severe health issues or even death.

Two companies, Florida’s Prime Line Distributors, Inc. and New Jersey’s Ferrarini USA, Inc., are recalling two products each due to fears they “may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm),” according to FSIS.

Prime Line Distributors has recalled various weight cardboard cases of two individually vacuum-packed “Prime Line Distributors, Inc. Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” items, along with various weight individually vacuum-packaged “Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” items. Meanwhile, Ferrarini USA is recalling various weight cardboard cases containing two pieces of individually vacuum-packed “Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” and “Ferrarini Guanciale Dry-Cured Pork Jowl” products.

All the affected products have a “best if used by” date of May 16, 2027, and a lot number of 263311US on the label. Additionally, they feature the establishment number IT 1937 L CE printed within the Italian mark of inspection or on the packaging.

These products were produced at Est. 1937L Bome SRL in Italy on May 21 and imported into the U.S. in July.

The issue was identified during routine import reinspection testing when a product sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled items from Prime Line Distributors were distributed to food service and retail companies in Florida, while Ferrarini USA’s products went to distributors and food service locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women along with their newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, balance issues, and, at times, gastrointestinal symptoms.

In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and life-threatening infections for newborns. Additionally, older adults and those with compromised immune systems risk severe and sometimes fatal infections.

FSIS has advised individuals in higher-risk groups who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming these products to seek medical attention. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness associated with these products. Anyone worried about their health should consult a healthcare provider.

FSIS also expressed concern that some of these products may still be in food service and retail freezers. Businesses are urged not to sell or serve the recalled items. Affected food products should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase.