Over 1,500 Pounds of Imported Pork Recalled for Listeria Risk

More than 1,500 pounds of ready-to-eat pork products imported from Italy have been recalled due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall affects products distributed to New York, New Jersey, and six other states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Sunday, classifying it as a "Class I" recall, which signifies a high or medium risk to public health. The potential contamination was discovered during a routine import reinspection when a product sample tested positive for the bacteria.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products. Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that poses significant risks to pregnant women and their newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes following gastrointestinal issues.

The affected products include "Prime Line Distributors, Inc. Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy" and "Ferrarini Guanciale Dry-Cured Pork Jowl." Both items have a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027, and lot number 263311US. The recalled meat bears the establishment number "IT 1937 L CE" inside the Italian mark of inspection or printed on the case label.

Prime Line Distributors, Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shipped its recalled products to food service and retail locations in Florida. Ferrarini USA, Inc., based in Hoboken, New Jersey, shipped its products to distributors and food service locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

FSIS officials expressed concern that some of the recalled products might still be in refrigerators and freezers at food service and retail establishments. They urged businesses not to serve or sell these items. The agency noted that while listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, severe and sometimes fatal outcomes are possible in at-risk populations.