Warnings issued regarding ham salad items due to potential Listeria contamination
The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for certain ham salads produced by Reser's Fine Foods and Molly's Kitchen. The alert was issued due to the possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis.
The affected products are:
- Reser's Fine Foods Ham Salad in 12-oz. plastic tubs with sell-by dates of 09/01/25, bearing the USDA mark of inspection.
- Molly's Kitchen Ham Salad in 5-lb. clear plastic tubs with sell-by dates of 08/31/25.
These products were distributed nationally, and consumers are urged not to consume them. Instead, they should discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase. Retailers are also advised not to sell or serve these ham salads.
The contamination stems from the use of breadcrumbs, which were recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to potential Listeria contamination. These breadcrumbs were provided by Newly Weds Foods and were used in the production of the affected products.
No confirmed cases of illness have been reported so far. However, the FSIS warns that more products could be identified as further information becomes available. They believe that some of the recalled products may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.
Listeriosis is most dangerous to older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and convulsions. In pregnant individuals, listeriosis may result in miscarriages or stillbirths.
The FSIS urges anyone who may have consumed the recalled products and is experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure to contaminated food.
For food safety questions, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email [email protected]. Consumers can also report food safety issues online through the FSIS Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System, available 24/7.
The FSIS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if additional products are identified or new developments arise. This alert is intended to prevent further exposure due to the recall by Newly Weds Foods.
- In light of the public health alert, individuals are advised to avoid consuming both Reser's Fine Foods Ham Salad and Molly's Kitchen Ham Salad, which may contain Listeria monocytogenes, especially considering the potential dangers of this bacterium for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
- Given that Listeriosis can cause serious illnesses such as fever, muscle aches, confusion, and convulsions, it is crucial for anyone who has consumed the affected ham salads and is experiencing flu-like symptoms to promptly seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about the potential exposure to contaminated food.
