Another brand of frozen waffle products made at a Pinnacle Foods Inc. production plant is under recall because Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in the facility.
The recall of Pick 5 brand frozen chicken waffle sandwiches from Save-A-Lot stores nationwide came four days after Pinnacle Foods recalled Aunt Jemima and Hungry Man brand frozen breakfast products in three countries.
Fourth Street Barbecue Inc. Packing Division initiated the voluntary recall of all lot numbers of the Save-A-Lot “Pick 5 Chicken Waffle Sandwich” products after Pinnacle Foods officials notified the company about the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the waffles.
“No illnesses have been reported to date. However, Fourth Street Barbecue Inc. Packing Division is initiating the voluntary recall in an abundance of caution to protect public health,” according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.
“No other Fourth Street Barbecue Inc. Packing Division products are affected by this recall. Consumers that have any of these products in their possession, are asked not to consume the products. Consumers seeking a replacement or refund for recalled products should call the customer hotline at 724-483-2056.”
All best-by dates of the 14.4-ounce boxes of “Pick 5 Chicken Waffle Sandwich” with the UPC number 051933353664 are under recall.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.
People who have eaten the recalled products but are not sick should monitor themselves for symptoms of Listeria infection for the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days for symptoms to develop following exposure.
Listeria monocytogenes is a microscopic organism that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.
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