Food giant Kraft Heinz is facing a major recall of over 360,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products due to possible listeria contamination. The affected products, which include fully cooked turkey bacon produced between April 24 and June 11, were distributed across the United States and even exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. While no illnesses have been reported, the potential contamination was discovered through internal laboratory testing conducted by Kraft Heinz.
This incident adds to a series of high-profile listeria recalls that have plagued major food companies in recent years. Last September, Boar’s Head shut down a facility following an outbreak that resulted in nine deaths and the recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat products. Deli meats and ready-to-eat foods are particularly susceptible to listeria contamination, as the pathogen can survive refrigeration. In 2024, there were 65 recalls related to listeria, compared to 47 the previous year, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
In response to the increase in listeria-related incidents, the USDA announced plans to enhance inspections at meat plants. However, the termination of a scientific advisory committee overseeing regulatory strategies in March as part of cost-cutting measures by the Trump administration raised concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts.
Listeria contamination can lead to Listeriosis, a serious illness that poses a higher risk to pregnant women, newborns, and older adults. Symptoms may not appear until weeks after consuming contaminated food, according to the FSIS. The Kraft Heinz recall specifically targets Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original products with various “use by” dates ranging from July 18 to September 4.
Consumers are advised to check their products and follow the recall instructions provided by Kraft Heinz to ensure their safety. It is crucial for food companies to maintain rigorous quality control measures to prevent such incidents and protect public health.
