Recall of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Products

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products have been recalled over concerns of possible contamination with Listeria bacteria, which can result in food poisoning, according to federal health officials on Wednesday.

So far, there haven’t been any confirmed cases of the illness, as stated by officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Kraft Heinz Food Company, based in Newbury, South Carolina, issued the recall for fully cooked turkey bacon produced between April 24 and June 11. This issue came to light after laboratory tests indicated potential listeria contamination.

The recall involves various products distributed across U.S. stores, as well as to the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong:

• The 12-ounce package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon labeled Original, UPC 071871548601, with lot code RS40 and a use-by date between July 18 and August 2.

• The 36-ounce package, containing three 12-ounce packages, with UPC 071871548748 and lot codes RS19, RS40, and RS42, dating from July 23 to September 4.
• The 48-ounce package, also containing four 12-ounce packages, has UPC 071871548793 and the same lot codes as above, dating from July 18 to September 4.

Consumers are advised not to consume these products if they find them in their fridge or freezer. Instead, they should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

Infections from Listeria can lead to severe illnesses, particularly in vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms might include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and cramps.

According to the CDC, around 1,600 people fall ill from Listeria each year, with approximately 260 fatalities. Following several notable outbreaks, including one tied to boar head deli meat that resulted in 10 deaths and over 60 illnesses last year, federal officials announced efforts to enhance protocols to prevent such infections.