Costco recalls more items over listeria fears. What we know about withdrawal waves

Wholesale giant Costco has recalled more items as several major retailers grapple with potential listeria contamination in their food products.

The store joins other major grocers such as Trader Joe's, Kroger, Aldi, Walmart, HEB and Target. Trader Joe's recently recalled salads, a wrap and other chicken products. Target is recalling pasta and burritos, while Costco's affected products range from chicken taquitos to frozen waffles.

Costco is urging any shoppers who purchased the items from July through October to return them to their stores for a full refund. However, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illness due to consumption of these products.

A major recall comes from meat manufacturer BrucePack, which processes several million pounds of cooked protein each week. Its Durant, Oklahoma, facility recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry produced between May 31 and Oct. 8, affecting about 12 million pounds of potentially contaminated meat that was distributed to major stores, restaurants and schools across the country.

Earlier in the year, Boar's Head Provisions recalled several million pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry products from its Jarratt, Virginia, plant, which closed in September. The outbreak has sickened 59 people and killed 10 across 19 states.

E. against McDonald's this week. The first case for the coli outbreak was also likely linked to its sleeved onion and beef patties. McDonald's has pulled some products from stores.

But, the Food and Drug Administration told Fox Business on Friday that food-related recalls this fiscal year have been “generally consistent” with past years.

In a statement to Fox Business, the administration said, “The number of recalls has increased especially if there is a perception that a recall event contains a large number of affected products,” adding that these recalls are “important to protect the public” from harmful products.

Food safety events are random, but health officials may be better at linking infections together, according to Rutgers University.

What Costco products have been affected?

Most recently, Costco Krustez Belgian Waffles, Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon, Rana Chicken Truffle Carbonara, Rana Tagliatelle Grilled White Chicken and Portobello Mushroom, El Monterey Chicken Taquitos, Red's Mini Chicken Burritos, the Readywise bucket 1, 2019, 2018 FD Deluxe Meat Variety 12 Pack.

The Nutristore, Red's All Natural, Ruiz Foodservice's El Monterey, and Giovanni Rana products are part of the Brewpack recall.

Acme Smoked Fish, which makes Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon, said the recalled item was only on Costco shelves between Oct. 9-13. After that, it is removed.

Radioize said its recall was based on possible listeria contamination by one of its suppliers. It was not included in the 400-page BrucePack recall list.

And Treehouse Foods, which makes the waffles, expanded its recall to include all products produced at a facility. These include Belgian waffle and pancake products.

Where were these products sold?

Nutristore FD Deluxe Meat Variety 12pack sold exclusively at Costco.com. Treehouse Foods said its recalled products are distributed in states and provinces in both the United States and Canada. Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon was only available in Florida stores. Giovanni Runa products were also recalled in both the United States and Canada. It is still unclear where exactly the other products were distributed. But, Costco maintains a list of recalled products for customers to check, including lot codes and best-before dates for affected products.

Many of the schools affected by the BrucePack recall were in Pennsylvania.

Which companies were affected by the BrucePack recall?

Some of the brands that are part of the Brewpack recall include: 7Eleven, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Kitchen, Atkins, Bell & Evans, Boston Market, Central Eats, Dole, Eat!, El Monterey, Fresh Express, Fusia, Giant Eagle, Gordon's Choice, Good & Gatherer, Great Value, HEB, HMS, Home Chef, Jenny Craig, Kitchenmate, Kroger, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Meijer, Michelangelo's Gourmet Foods, Micheliner, Mom's Food, Racetrack, Raleigh, Ready Meals, Red's, Save Mart, Signature Select, Taylor Farms, Trader Joe's, Woody's, Wegmans and Whitson's.

But, the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service notes that some of the recalled products have no brand names. To find those products in its inventory, consumers are encouraged to search by product type or name.

What causes Listeria infection?

Listeria is bacteria that can contaminate many foods, causing an infection known as listeriosis. Each year in the United States, 1,600 people are infected and 260 die. Bacteria can cause invasive illnesses and intestinal ailments. Those at highest risk of infection include pregnant people, newborns, people with weakened immune systems, and people age 65 and older. Other people can become infected, but they rarely become seriously ill.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Symptoms of Listeria infection vary depending on the person and body part affected. Symptoms begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food, usually due to bacteria that spread outside the gut. Symptoms of this “aggressive” illness for those who are not pregnant include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. About 1 in 6 non-pregnant women with invasive listeriosis die. In pregnant people, symptoms include fever, muscle aches and fatigue. Symptoms are usually milder in pregnant people and some may never experience symptoms. However, infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.

Alternatively, bowel disease is rarely diagnosed. Laboratories do not routinely test patient samples for Listeria. Symptoms of intestinal illness usually begin within 24 hours of eating food contaminated with Listeria and last up to three days. These are usually mild and may include diarrhea and vomiting.

How can people stay safe?

Three things must be done to prevent illness. First, cool the food to the proper temperature in the refrigerator. The appliance should be set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 0 degrees. Second, ready-to-eat foods should be packaged with a use-by date. The longer they stay in the fridge, the more likely it is for listeria to grow. And third, keep the refrigerator clean to prevent any other place for listeria to grow.