Over 1,500 Pounds of Pork Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination Risk

In a significant public health announcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a recall for over 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is known to cause listeriosis, a serious infection that disproportionately affects vulnerable groups including older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.

The recall encompasses approximately 1,513 pounds of dry-cured pork jowl products, commonly referred to as guanciale. Two companies, Prime Line Distributors, Inc. based in Florida and Ferrarini USA, Inc. from New Jersey, are responsible for the recall. Each has pulled two distinct products from the market after findings during routine import reinspection testing confirmed the presence of listeria in a product sample.

The recall is categorized as a Class I, the highest designation by the USDA, which indicates that there is a reasonable probability that the consumption of the affected products could result in severe health consequences or even death. The products subject to the recall include various weights of vacuum-packed guanciale items, both under the Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini brands, and carry a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027, alongside a lot number printed on the label.

These products were processed in Italy at Est. 1937L Bome SRL on May 21 and were subsequently imported into the United States in July. The recalled items were distributed broadly, reaching food service and retail locations across multiple states, including Florida, California, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

FSIS has underscored the importance of food safety, advising consumers in high-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming these products to seek medical evaluation promptly. Although no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, FSIS has urged food service and retail establishments to remove these products from their inventory immediately.

As concerns about listeriosis loom, consumers are reminded to take food safety precautions seriously and properly dispose of or return any affected products to their place of purchase.

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