Public Health Alert Issued for Chicken Products Due to Listeria Risk

A public health alert has been issued for certain ready-to-eat chicken and bacon wrap products sold in four U.S. states due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can cause listeriosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening infection. The alert was issued by the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on May 13th, highlighting the potential risk to consumers who may have purchased and stored the affected products.

While the products are no longer available for sale in stores, the FSIS is concerned that some consumers may have purchased the chicken wraps and frozen them for later consumption. Freezing, while preserving food, does not eliminate Listeria bacteria. Therefore, consumers who have these products in their freezers are urged to take immediate action to prevent potential illness.

This public health alert, although not a formal recall, serves as a critical warning to inform consumers about the potential health hazards associated with these specific chicken products. Public health alerts are issued when the FSIS believes that a product poses a risk to public health but is no longer available for purchase, making a traditional recall less effective.

The affected chicken products were produced on May 2, 2025. Both the ready-to-eat chicken and bacon wrap products have a "sell by" date of May 7, 2025. The lot code printed on the packaging is 25122. Consumers who have purchased chicken wraps with this lot code and sell-by date should be considered potentially exposed to the contaminated product.

The potentially contaminated chicken products were initially shipped to distributors in two states before being further distributed to retail locations in three states. This distribution network means that the affected chicken could be present in a wider geographic area than initially anticipated.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that can cause listeriosis, an infection that primarily affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers listeriosis a serious condition that can be dangerous or even life-threatening, particularly for these high-risk groups.

Symptoms of listeriosis can vary, but the CDC highlights several key indicators. These include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some individuals may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Pregnant women are at an increased risk, as listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

The CDC advises that individuals in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming potentially contaminated food should seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial for preventing severe complications from listeriosis.

As of the date of the public health alert, there have been no reported illnesses directly linked to the consumption of the affected chicken and bacon wrap products. However, the FSIS issued the alert as a precautionary measure to prevent potential outbreaks of listeriosis. The proactive approach is critical in minimizing the risk to consumers and preventing the spread of the infection.

The USDA is urging consumers who purchased the affected chicken wraps and froze them to take immediate action. The recommended course of action is to discard the product immediately. It is important to ensure the product is disposed of in a way that prevents it from being consumed by humans or animals.

Furthermore, the USDA advises that anyone concerned about illness after consuming the affected chicken products should contact their healthcare provider. Early medical evaluation is crucial, particularly for individuals in high-risk categories, as prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

The public health alert underscores the importance of food safety practices and the need for consumers to remain vigilant about potential foodborne illnesses. While food manufacturers and regulatory agencies work diligently to ensure food safety, consumers play a crucial role in preventing foodborne illnesses by following safe food handling practices.

The article was written by Natalie Neysa Alund, a senior reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @nataliealund. Her reporting highlights the commitment of news organizations to inform the public about important food safety issues and potential health risks. The fact that egg prices recently fell after months of increases, as noted at the end of the original piece, is unrelated to the chicken contamination but shows a glimpse of other food market trends. This unrelated item can distract from the more important public health information.