Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls recall: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S Meat & poultry — recalled…Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S Meat & poultry — recalled… (photo 2)Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S Meat & poultry — recalled… (photo 3)Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S Meat & poultry — recalled… (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

Because the organism here is Listeria, the recall is about where the food has been rather than how it looks today. Treat an affected pack as contaminated even if it is sealed and in date.

What the notice says: 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.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
February 8, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S
Product type
Meat & poultry
Distribution
Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming
Sold at
Albertsons, Safeway, Shaw's, Vons

Products covered by this recall

Chicken Taco Kits and Meals

What the company announced

BOISE, Idaho — Feb. 8, 2024 — 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.

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

FDA Outbreak Investigation

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 5 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 24 OZ
  • 22 OZ
  • 9 OZ
  • 10 OZ
  • 16 OZ

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, S — Because the organism here is Listeria, the recall is about where the food has been rather than how it looks today. Treat an affected pack as contaminated even if it is sealed and in date.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. Throw it out in a sealed bag, or return it to the store. Either is accepted; what matters is that nobody else eats it.
  3. Wash and then sanitise anything the food touched: the fridge shelf and drawer, chopping boards, knives, counters and your hands. Listeria colonises cold surfaces and can survive there after the food is gone.
  4. If anyone in the household is pregnant, over 65 or immunocompromised, call a clinician for advice even if nobody feels ill. That conversation is quick and it is the whole point of a Listeria recall.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: 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.

Company contact: Albertsons Companies — Consumers: Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center, 1-877-723-3929

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Albertsons, Safeway, Eagle, Carrs-Safeway, Pavilions, Vons… recalled?

Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. 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.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: 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.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska and others.

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