Starbucks supplier Progressive Gourmet Inc. recalled the Sausage & Cheddar Breakfast With Egg Breakfast sandwiches after a routine testing found Listeria monocytogenes in their production facility.
To date, no health cases have been reported. The Massachusetts-based company is conducting further investigations on the listeria issue together with the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The affected product includes the 6-ounce Sausage & Cheddar Breakfast With Egg Breakfast sandwiches. The products are wrapped in clear plastic and included an Aug. 7, 2016 best before date.
The recalled products were shipped to almost 250 Starbucks branches including Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. The products were distributed to several warehouses in Louisiana, Texas, Maryland and North Carolina and sold to customers between March 3 and 4.
"As soon as Starbucks was informed of this potential issue, the impacted product was removed from the 250 stores that potentially received it. The scope of this issue is limited to these stores," said the FDA in a statement.
A Starbucks spokesperson, highlighted that the listeria monocytogenes was detected on a food contact surface at the supplier's production facility. The products were pulled out immediately.
"The product itself has not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No other products are affected because of this issue. We have not received any reports of illnesses to date," said a spokesperson for Starbucks.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria is responsible for an estimated 1,600 yearly hospital admissions that can lead to 260 deaths.
Pregnant women, senior adults, young children and people with compromised immune systems have the highest risk chances. In pregnant women, listeria can cause miscarriages and infect newborn infants.
Other Listeria-Based Product Recalls
Dole
In 2015, a listeria outbreak resulted to 12 sickened individuals and one dead. The outbreak that spanned multiple states in the U.S. was traced to an Ohio-based Dole factory that produces packed salads. The investigation also led to major product recalls.
Blue Bell Creameries
The Blue Bell Ice Cream listeria outbreak in early 2015 was traced all the way back to 2010, leading to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for the potential mishandling of the incident. The listeria outbreak resulted on 10 listeriosis cases and three deaths due to complications.
Photo: Mack Male | Flickr
