Listeria alert: Premade wraps at Big Y, Price Chopper trigger health warning
A public health alert has been issued for read-to-eat chicken and bacon wrap products due to concerns of listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The products were sold at Big Y and Price Chopper and were produced on May 2, the USDA statement reads. No recall was requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.
The 'Big Y quick easy meals Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap' was sold in a 10 ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell by of May, 5 and lot code 25122.
The 'Market 32 by Price Chopper Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap' was also sold in a 10 ounce clear plastic clamshell package and had a sell through date of May 7 and lot code 25122.
The products were shipped to distributers in Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.
The problem was found when a state public health partner notified the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of a product sample that tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, according to the USDA.
No confirmed reports of reactions after eating the products has been found, but people concerned about an illness are urged to contact a health care provider.
Consumption of food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a 'serious' infection that especially affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns, the agency wrote. People outside of these risk groups are less commonly affected.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur.
For pregnant woman, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Serious or fatal infections can occur in older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the USDA.
Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics. People at higher-risk experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food, are advised to seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
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