Costco has issued a voluntary recall for their Kirkland Signature ham after it was discovered that the product may be contaminated with listeria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall, cautioning consumers in Northern California and Western Nevada to be aware and check the labels of their purchased ham.
The recalled ham is the ready-to-eat Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve Half Ham Boneless With Natural Juices, produced by Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats in Manteca, California. The specific product in question has a Use / Freeze by date of Jan 2024 and a sticker with lot number 264 – 4. It was sold at Costco between Sept. 26 and Sept. 29.
Costco customers who have purchased this product are being urged to take precautionary measures and not consume any remaining ham marked with the above code date. The wholesalers have also advised customers to return the product to their local Costco store for a full refund.
The possible listeria contamination was discovered after laboratory testing conducted by Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats indicated a potential risk. However, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consuming the contaminated ham.
Listeria is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes commonly found in contaminated food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. are infected with listeriosis each year, resulting in around 260 deaths. Pregnant women, newborn babies, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of developing severe symptoms from listeria. However, people outside these high-risk groups may experience symptoms as well, including fever, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms.
For pregnant women, listeriosis can be especially dangerous, potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or fatal infection in the baby. Symptoms in other groups may also include headache, stiff neck, balance problems, seizures, and confusion. The CDC reports that the death rate from listeriosis in non-pregnant individuals is about 5%.
In addition to the severe symptoms in high-risk groups, listeriosis can also cause intestinal illness, such as diarrhea and vomiting, occurring one to three days after consuming contaminated food. These symptoms usually start within 24 hours of consuming the contaminated product.
Costco is taking swift action to notify customers and remove the affected product from shelves. The company is also working closely with the FSIS and Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats to ensure the safety of its customers. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and dispose of the recalled ham or return it to their local Costco store for a full refund.
Anyone who believes that they may have consumed the recalled product and is experiencing any symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Costco and the FSIS are taking this issue seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of their customers.
