Food Recall Map Shows US States Where Deadly Warnings Issued

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued several food recalls since the start of February, with many caused by concerns over listeria.

According to the FDA website, since the beginning of February, there have been 17 different food recalls because of potential listeria contamination, across almost all of the U.S. Listeria is defined by the FDA as a “species of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria that can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive and even grow under refrigeration and other food preservation measures.”

“When people eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes, they may develop a disease called listeriosis,” the FDA states. “There are a range of symptoms for listeriosis. Depending on the severity of the illness, symptoms may last from days to several weeks. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.”

Newsweek has compiled a map showing which states have been affected by the different FDA recalls since the start of the month.

From February 10 to 12, the FDA issued several recalls over concerns about listeria contamination. These recalls included Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit Units sold by Rizo-López Foods and Fresh Creations Foods; Chicken Street Taco Kits sold in Save Mart; Mexican Style Street corn bites sold by The Perfect Bite Co.; and Chicken Street Taco Kits sold by Stater Bros. Markets.

Across these recalls, states that have been affected include Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Nevada and Hawaii.

“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the FDA said in a recall for the Save Mart Companies. “Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

On February 9, a number of other FDA recalls were announced over listeria concerns including Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Salad Kit sold by Taylor Fresh Foods; Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch Chopped Salad Kits sold by Braga Fresh; torta sandwiches that contain cotija cheese sold by Fresh & Ready Foods; Fresh Express Salsa! Ensalada Kit, Marketside Southwest Chopped Salad Kit sold by Fresh Express; and Chicken Taco Kits and Meals sold by Albertsons Companies.

States affected by these different recalls included Alabama, Florida, Georgia, California, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming.

On February 8, the FDA announced a listeria recall for Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Cilantro Salad Dressing, Elote Chopped Salad Kit, Southwest Salad sold at Trader Joe’s stores nationwide.

On February 7, the FDA recalled Rojo’s Black Bean 6 Layer Dip 2-20oz Club Pack, sold at Costco stores in “Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Utah.”

Similarly, on February 1, the Nam & Son of MD company recalled certain one-pound bags of soybean sprouts over concerns for possible listeria contamination that were sold in Maryland.

“NO illness has been reported to date,” the recall said.

Overall, across the different food recalls caused by possible listeria contamination, Newsweek’s review found that a majority of U.S. states have been affected.

Newsweek reached out to the FDA via email for comment.