Consumers across the United States are being warned about a major food recall involving more than 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products that could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recalled products include dry-cured pork jowl, also known as guanciale. The meat was imported from Italy and distributed in eight states: California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
The recall involves products distributed by Prime Line Distributors, Inc. and Ferrarini USA, Inc. Officials said the problem was discovered during routine import reinspection after a sample tested positive for Listeria.
Why is the recall considered serious?
The USDA classified it as a Class I recall, its highest risk level, because consuming the contaminated products could potentially cause serious illness or death, particularly among pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
