Copyright Newsweek
A California-based company has announced a recall of thousands of pounds of breakfast burritos and wrap products due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said. M.C.I. Foods issued a voluntary recall for 91,585 pounds of specific lots of the products on October 18 as egg contained within them may have been contaminated. Newsweek contacted M.C.I. Foods via email for comment outside of regular working hours. Why It Matters The FSIS warned that eating food contaminated with listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. It can, however, also impact people outside of these groups. "Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms," the FSIS said. "In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems." What To Know The products impacted by the recall are the following: El Mas Fino Egg, Ham, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito—product code: 00607—lot code: 80903 El Mas Fino Egg, Sausage, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito—product code: 00608—lot code: 80897V Los Cabos Sausage, Egg & 3 Cheese Breakfast Burrito—product code: 61304—lot code: 80900 Los Cabos Egg, Cheese, Potato & Cooked Sausage Crumbles (made with turkey) Breakfast Wrap—product codes: 77869, 97869—lot codes: 80872, 80876, 80881 Los Cabos Egg, Cheese & Cooked Sausage Crumbles (made with turkey) Breakfast Wrap—product code: 97892—lot code: 80878 Los Cabos Cheese, Cooked Sausage Crumbles (made with turkey) & Egg Breakfast Wrap—product code: 97896—lot codes: 80892, 80898, 80931 Midamar Egg, Cheese & Beef with Sausage Seasoning Breakfast Wrap—product code: MMBK03—lot codes: 80972, 80977 The products bear the establishment number "EST. 1162A" or "P-5890A" inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture mark of inspection. The products are included in the United States Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and were distributed to food service institutions nationwide. The issue was discovered when M.C.I. Foods conducted routine sampling of ingredients from external suppliers, and scrambled egg tested positive for listeria. As of October 18, no confirmed illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the recalled products. What People Are Saying The FSIS said: "Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food." Mary O'Riordan, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, previously told Newsweek: "Listeria has an unusual capacity to grow at refrigerated temperatures. Although the bacterium can contaminate many types of food, cheeses or deli meats that are kept in cold storage for long periods in stores or at home are a place where listeria can keep growing. "Early symptoms of listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne infections, including fever, diarrhea and vomiting, so it's often not diagnosed right away. Unfortunately, sometimes listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis. In those cases, if people experience headache, stiff neck or confusion, they should seek urgent medical attention." Haley F. Oliver, a professor of food science at Purdue University, previously told Newsweek: "Listeria monocytogenes is a common microorganism that can be found in the natural environment, for example, in soil. There are many factors that determine if someone gets listeriosis—a listeria infection. In most instances, an immunocompromised person—so young, old, pregnant or otherwise immunocompromised—must eat contaminated food. "The number of bacteria resulting in infection and the amount of time before illness varies considerably. Symptoms vary among people but can include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance." What Happens Next The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FSIS. The agency has urged any institutions that still have the affected products not to serve them and to throw them away. It is concerned that certain products may still be in refrigerators and freezers.
