Taco Recall Issued in 30 States as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

According to News Week, Numerous meal kits, including tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, stir fry, and salads produced by Reser’s Fine Foods, have been recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium known to cause food poisoning. The recall stems from the inclusion of chicken supplied by BrucePac, which has been found to be contaminated with Listeria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the recall as a Class II.

A Class II recall indicates a situation where exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, or where the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

Distribution and Impacted States

The affected products were distributed across 30 states, including:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wyoming

For detailed information regarding lot codes and best-by dates for the impacted products, consumers are advised to check the FDA website.

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Health Risks Associated with Listeria

“Listeria is particularly dangerous as it can survive in refrigerators and freezers, and contaminated foods may not appear different in taste, smell, or look,” said Michelle Anstey, a food safety expert from the National Sanitation Foundation. “When contaminated food is handled, the illness can spread through human contact and inadequate sanitation.”

Symptoms of Listeria infection can appear days or weeks after exposure, with milder cases often presenting symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While most people recover fully from milder forms of the illness, it can be life-threatening for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Serious infections may lead to more severe symptoms, including headaches, neck stiffness, impaired coordination, confusion, and seizures. In pregnant women, Listeria infections have been linked to miscarriages.

Consumer Guidance and Actions

“These foodborne illnesses are dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and in extreme cases, infections of the brain and blood,” Anstey noted. “They pose particular risks to those who are immunocompromised, such as pregnant women, children, and older adults.”

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised not to consume them and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them safely. For any questions regarding the recalled products, consumers can contact Reser’s Fine Foods at 888-223-2127, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.