Reichel Foods Listeria Recall: Processor Pulls 15,880 Pounds Of Snack Products

A Minnesota processor is recalling about 15,880 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, citing a potential Listeria risk.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Saturday that Reichel Foods discovered the possible contamination after a third party conducted microbiological tests.

The products, produced between July 23 and July 26, have a sell-by date through Sept. 1 and the establishment number "P-19941" or "Est. 19941" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Local station Fox 27 has a complete list of the concerned products, which include sandwich snacks, pizza and dips:

• 5.6 oz. packages of Armour Active Packs Turkey & Cheese Wrap with a package code of 1026090112 or case code 27815-17994.
• 5.6 oz. packages of Armour Active Packs Ham & Cheese Wrap with a package code of 1026090112 or case code 27815-17995.
• 2.75 oz. single serve trays of Dippin' Stix Apples & Caramel with Peanuts. Case code dates are September 1-3, 2012. The affected single serve tray code dates are Use By 01SEP2012, Use By 02SEP2012 and Use By 03SEP2012.
• 5.6 oz. packages of Armour Active Packs Cheese Pizza with package code 1026090112 or case code 27815-17996.

The aforementioned products have already been shipped to distribution centers in Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas, but no illnesses have yet been reported related to the recall.

Fox 27 spoke with Reichel Foods CFO Tom Wiechmann, who said the company "has been working with regulatory agencies since Sunday evening to ensure that the potentially affected product is removed from all store shelves and warehouses."

The Reichel Foods website stresses that the potential contamination is an "isolated incident" and that "these are the only items and code dates affected by the recall." Those who have purchased any of the above products are encouraged to either toss it immediately or return it to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria is a bacteria that can lead to listeriosis, a dangerous infection known to kill 20 percent of all people it infects. Symptoms can show up anywhere from three to 70 days after infection. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are those at greatest risk.

Earlier this month, Gills Onions announced a massive recall that pulled items from shelves in Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Publix and Wegman's stores.