Dippin’ Stix, Cheese Pizza Kit Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

Listeria is a bacteria that causes the relatively rare bacterial disease Listeriosis, a serious infection, that is caused by eating foods contaminated with the bacteria.  This disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, adults with weakened immune systems and the elderly.   The two main clinical manifestations of Listeriosis are sepsis and meningitis.  Listeriosis has a mortality rate of about 20 percent, and thus is a serious disease.  When a food company issues a recall for products for potential Listeria contamination, consumers need to beware.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that Dippin’ Stix Sliced Apples & Caramel with Peanuts and Armour Active Packs Cheese Pizza Lunch Kits are being recalled for potential Listeria monocytogene contamination.  These products were distributed to retail and convenience stores throughout the country.

Reichel Foods, the company who produces the products, discovered the potential contamination through microbiological testing.  As of yet, the company has not received any reports of illness due to the consumption of the products, however, the company states that anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

A recent outbreak of Listeriosis happened last year and was linked to whole cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado.  A total of 146 persons from 28 states were infected from consuming the cantaloupes.  Unfortunately, 30 people died and one pregnant woman miscarried from contracting Listeriosis from the contaminated cantaloupes. 

The products subject to recall are:

  • 2.75 oz. single serve trays of Dippin’ Stix Apples & Caramel with Peanuts.  The affected case code dates are 9/01/12, and 9/03/12.  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” Package Code 1026090112 or Case Code 278515-17996.

The above products need to be disposed of immediately or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Reichel Foods can be contacted for more information at (866) 372-2609 or by visiting the company website at:  www.reichelfoods.com.

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