More than 1,500 pounds of imported ready‑to‑eat pork products have been recalled over concerns about possible listeria contamination.
Two U.S. companies—Florida‑based Prime Line Distributors, Inc. and New Jersey‑based Ferrarini USA, Inc.—are issuing recalls for a total of about 1,513 pounds of dry‑cured pork jowl (guanciale), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Sunday.
The recall is classified as a Class I recall, the USDA’s most serious classification, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Both firms recalled two products each because they “may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm),” according to the FSIS announcement.
More than 1,500 pounds of imported ready‑to‑eat pork products have been recalled over concerns about possible listeria contamination. (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)
Prime Line Distributors recalled various weight cardboard cases of two individually vacuum‑packed “Prime Line Distributors, Inc. Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” items and various weight individually vacuum‑packed “Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” items.
Ferrarini USA recalled various weight cardboard cases with two pieces of individually vacuum‑packed “Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy” and various weight individually vacuum‑packed “Ferrarini Guanciale Dry‑Cured Pork Jowl” products.
Each recalled product carries a best‑if‑used‑by date of May 16, 2027, and a lot number of 263311US printed on the label, as well as the establishment number IT 1937 L CE inside the Italian inspection mark.
The items were produced by Est. 1937L Bome SRL in Italy on May 21 and entered the United States in July.
The issue was discovered during routine import reinspection testing, when a product sample confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). (Getty Images / Getty Images)
Prime Line Distributors products were distributed to food‑service and retail outlets in Florida, while Ferrarini USA shipments went to distributors and food‑service locations across California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
The contamination was identified during routine import reinspection testing, which flagged the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Consuming food tainted with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that disproportionately affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns.
Symptoms of listeriosis may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. In severe cases the infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
FSIS is concerned that some products may still be in food‑service and retail refrigerators and freezers. (J. David Ake/Getty Images / Getty Images)
For pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life‑threatening infection in the newborn. The infection also poses serious, sometimes fatal, risks to older adults and immunocompromised individuals.
FSIS advises that people in higher‑risk groups who develop flu‑like symptoms within two months of eating the contaminated items should seek medical attention. No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with these products, but anyone experiencing symptoms is urged to contact a health‑care provider.
“FSIS is concerned that some products may be in food‑service and retail refrigerators and freezers. Food‑service and retail locations are urged not to serve or sell these products,” the agency said.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled items should discard or return them to the place of purchase.
