The Nation’s Second-Biggest Grocery Chain Just Recalled 14 Deli Items

As we settle into fall and the start of the school year, the deli section of your grocery store can offer a time-saving shortcut to delicious and nutritious meals. However, pre-made foods can also pose a health hazard if they come into contact with harmful bacteria. That’s exactly what happened this week, at one of the nation’s leading grocery chains—not to mention that this follows the biggest deli meat recall in a decade.

On October 2, Kroger announced a pair of recalls affecting ready-to-eat and heat-to-eat products sold in their deli section, due to the potential presence of the pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). If eaten, this “could result in severe illness,” the safety alert notes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds that in severe cases, listeriosis—the condition of having consumed food tainted with listeria—can cause death in vulnerable populations.

The Kroger Co. is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has retail locations in 35 states. According to the company’s website, it is one of the largest retailers in the United States based on annual sales.

This specific pair of recalls affects a wide range of these retail locations, including Kroger stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Greater Cincinnati (including Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio plus South Eastern Indiana); Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle; Michigan; Indiana (except SE Indiana, Evansville); Illinois; Eastern Missouri; Greater Louisville area (including Indiana) and Lexington, Kentucky; Hopkinsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; Texas and Louisiana.

The safety alert notes that the tainted products were also sold at several other retailers, including Mariano’s, Pick n Save, Metro Market, Dillons, Baker’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, City Market, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, QFC, Food4Less, FoodsCo, and Smith’s stores.

According to the FDA, individuals infected with L. monocytogenes may begin experiencing symptoms within a few hours, but an infection can also take up to three days to develop after exposure. “More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop,” the health authority writes.

“There are a range of symptoms for listeriosis. Depending on the severity of the illness, symptoms may last from days to several weeks. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. For the very young, the elderly, and the immune-compromised listeriosis can result in death,” the FDA further states.

The compromised products featured purchase or best by dates ranging from September 20 through October 3, meaning they could still be in some consumers’ refrigerators. The products and their identifying UPC codes are listed as follow:

• HOME CHEF HEAT AND EAT BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CHICKEN W/ RICE, 42.25 OZ (UPC 8-40134-30926)
• HOME CHEF HEAT AND EAT CHICKEN AND NOODLES, 12.8 OZ (UPC 8-40134-30942)
• HOME CHEF HEAT AND EAT THAI CHICKEN CURRY, 13.75 OZ (UPC 8-40134-30944)
• KROGER SOUTHWEST SALAD, 11.65 OZ (UPC 11110-22320)
• KROGER CHICKEN CAESAR WITH BACON, 5.75 OZ (UPC 11110-62698)
• KROGER MEXICAN STREET CORN BOWL, 6.4 OZ (UPC 11110-62699)
• KROGER SANTE FE SALAD, 6 OZ (UPC 11110-63034)
• KROGER APPLE WALNUT SALAD, 5.5 OZ (UPC 11110-63059)
• KROGER BLT SALAD BOWL, 6.5 OZ (UPC 11110-63060)
• KROGER CHEF SALAD CHICKEN AND HAM, 6.7 OZ (UPC 11110-63061)
• KROGER CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD, 12.15 OZ (UPC 11110-63063)
• KROGER CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD, 6OZ (UPC 11110-63064)
• KROGER COBB CHICKEN BACON SALAD, 6.4 OZ (UPC 11110-63065)
• KROGER GARLIC CHICKEN BACON SALAD, 5.75 OZ (UPC 11110-63066)

Those who may have consumed the recalled products should monitor the development of any new symptoms related to L. monocytogenes infection, and contact their healthcare providers if they believe they are having adverse effects. The Kroger alerts note consumers should discard the products or return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• A Trusted Milk Brand Has Been Recalled in 27 States
• Nearly 1,500 Bottles of a Baby Product Recalled in 12 States and Sold on Amazon
• 7,300 Boxes of High-Protein Breakfast Products Have Been Recalled in 13 States
• Bathroom Accessory Sold At Walmart, Lowe’s, and Other Major Retailers Recalled for Risk of Injury