The likelihood of Listeria contamination and its potential risks have prompted the recall of about 234 pounds of curried chicken salad and some kinds of deli pasta sold by Whole Foods Market.
In a statement released on Saturday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said that the problem was discovered after it was notified of the results of a sample testing conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showing that the affected products may have been adulterated with Listeria Monocytogenes.
No confirmed adverse reaction associated with consumption of the products has so far been reported but pulling out the possibly contaminated products was deemed necessary.
The recall was made as a precautionary measure since consumption of food contaminated by L. Monocytogenes can lead to Listeriosis, a serious infection particularly among older adults, pregnant women and their newborn and those who have weakened immune systems.
The chicken curry salad, which was sold in salad bars, prepackaged, in store's chef's cases and in wraps and sandwiches prepared in stores, was packed on Oct. 16. Affected products all have a sell by date Oct. 23, 2015 and were shipped to be sold in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
Consumers who bought the following affected products are urged to dispose of them or return them to where they have bought them:
Sold by weight "Curry Chicken Salad, Our Chef's Own" with UPC Code # 285551.
Sold by weight "Curry Chicken Salad CC" with UPC Code # 261068.
Sold by weight "PPK Salad Chicken Curry" with UPC Code # 263142.
12 oz. "Curry Chicken Salad Wrap, Made Right Here" with UPC Code # 263144.
7 oz. "Single Curry Chicken Salad Wrap, Made Right Here" with UPC Code # 263126.
7 oz. "Curry Chicken Salad Rollup" with UPC Code # 265325
Listeriosis is characterize by headache, fever, stiff neck, muscle aches, confusion, convulsion and loss of confusion and is sometimes preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.
Pregnant women who contract the infection may suffer from miscarriages, premature delivery and stillbirth. The condition also poses risks of life-threatening infection to the newborn. The infection could likewise be serious and even fatal in older adults and those with weakened symptoms
Those who show flu-like symptoms within the two-month period of consuming adulterated food are advised to seek medical care and urged to inform their healthcare provider about eating contaminated food. Treatment of choice for this infection is antibiotics.
