Albertsons Companies Voluntarily Recalls Five ReadyMeals and Store-Made Taco Kits Containing a Recalled Cheese Ingredient Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

Rhea-AI Summary

Albertsons Companies has issued a voluntary recall of five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination from a cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. The FDA and CDC are investigating a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Food Safety Specialist

From a food safety perspective, the voluntary recall by Albertsons Companies of ReadyMeals and taco kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination represents a proactive measure to prevent public health risks. Listeria is a pathogen that can survive and even thrive in refrigerated environments, making it a persistent concern for ready-to-eat food products. The decision to recall products, especially when linked to a supplier like Rizo-López Foods, reflects adherence to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles which are central to food safety management.

For stakeholders, such recalls can have mixed implications. In the short-term, there are costs associated with the recall process, potential waste of products and reputational damage. However, in the long-term, demonstrating a commitment to customer safety can bolster consumer trust. The recall also serves as a reminder to the industry about the importance of rigorous supply chain management and the need for regular auditing of suppliers to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Public Health Analyst

From a public health viewpoint, the investigation by the FDA and CDC into the multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections underscores the organism's public health significance. Listeriosis, the disease caused by Listeria, can lead to severe outcomes, including fatalities and adverse pregnancy outcomes, which raises significant concern. The collaborative effort between federal, state and local entities highlights the complexity of tracking and managing foodborne illness outbreaks, especially those that are widespread and involve multiple stakeholders.

For the general public, this serves as a critical reminder of the importance of food safety and the potential risks associated with contaminated food products. For businesses, it emphasizes the need for robust food safety protocols and the potential for significant legal and financial repercussions should those protocols fail or be found lacking.

Supply Chain Risk Analyst

Examining the recall from a supply chain risk perspective, the presence of a contaminated ingredient from a supplier like Rizo-López Foods can have far-reaching consequences. It exposes vulnerabilities in the supply chain and the importance of ensuring all links in the chain adhere to the highest food safety standards. The recall may prompt Albertsons and other companies to re-evaluate their supplier relationships and quality assurance processes to mitigate future risks.

From a risk management standpoint, companies must have contingency plans for recalls, including clear communication strategies and financial reserves to cover associated costs. This incident could lead to increased scrutiny by retailers on their suppliers, potentially leading to stricter quality controls and more transparent supply chain practices, which could benefit the industry as a whole in the long run.

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The select meals and kits contain a recalled cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo-López Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.

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Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Image includes examples of labels. Photo Courtesy: Albertsons Companies

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods. Rizo-López Foods’ recall announcement can be found here.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these items are urged not to consume these products and to dispose of them or return the items to their local store for a full refund. The FDA recommends in these cases that anyone who purchased or received any recalled products to use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria monocytogenes can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

The ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits and meals were available for purchase at the following banner stores: Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Lucky, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw's, Star Market, Tom Thumb and Vons in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming.

Consumers with questions should contact Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center at 1-877-723-3929 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.

Product Recall Details:

Product Name	UPC	Size	Sell Thru Dates	Store Banners	States
READY MEALS CHICKEN STREET TACOS	27131600000	24 OZ; 22 OZ (SHAW’S ONLY)	All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024	Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, Star Market	AK, AR, CA, CO, ID, LA, MA, ME, NE, NH, NM, OR, RI, SD, TX, VT, WA, WY
READY MEALS CHICKEN STREET TACOS MEAL	27179600000	9 OZ; 10 OZ (SHAWS/ SOUTHWEST ONLY)	All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024	Albertsons, Safeway, Lucky, Shaw's, Star Market, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons	AR, AZ, CO, ID, LA, MA, ME, MT, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, WY
CHICKEN MINI STREET TACO MEAL KIT	21192500000	22 OZ	All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024	Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway	AK, ID, WA
CHICKEN ASADA STREET TACO MEAL	29939300000	16 OZ	All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024	Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons	AK, CA, ID, WA
READY MEALS ASADA STREET TACO MEAL	29939100000	22 OZ	All Sell Thru dates up to and including Feb. 10, 2024	Shaw's, Star Market, Albertsons, Vons, Safeway, Pavilions	AZ, CA, MA, ME, NH, NM, NV, RI, TX, UT, VT

Category: Product Recall

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208785606/en/

Media Contact: media@albertsons.com

Source: Albertsons Companies, Inc.

What is the reason behind the voluntary recall by Albertsons Companies?

Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled five ReadyMeals and store-made taco kits due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination from a cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo-López Foods, Inc.

What kind of infections are linked to Listeria monocytogenes?

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Who is investigating the multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria infections?

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.