- Federal food safety officials warned of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready-to-eat chicken and bacon ranch wraps sold under Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 brands. The affected products were distributed in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
- The wraps, produced on May 2 with a May 7 sell-by date (lot code 25122), tested positive for Listeria. No illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged to discard any stored wraps.
- Listeriosis can be life-threatening, especially for older adults, immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women (risk of miscarriage/stillbirth). Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and confusion; early antibiotic treatment is critical.
- This alert follows recent outbreaks linked to recalls (e.g., Fresh & Ready Foods sandwiches and Lyons Magnus shakes), highlighting Listeria as the third deadliest foodborne pathogen in the U.S. (1,600 infections, 260 deaths annually).
- FSIS has tightened testing since December 2024, including broader Listeria screening for ready-to-eat foods, but gaps persist, emphasizing ongoing risks in food supply chains.
Federal food safety officials have issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat chicken and bacon ranch wraps over Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issued the alert Tuesday, May 13, for the wraps sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper. The alert followed a sample of the products testing positive for L. monocytogenes, a dangerous foodborne pathogen that can cause severe illness.
The affected products were manufactured on May 2 and carried a May 7 sell-by date. They were sold in three states: Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The products are identifiable by their 10-ounce clear plastic packaging and lot code 25122.
The contamination was discovered after a state public health agency notified FSIS of a positive test result. No illnesses in connection with the contaminated wraps have been reported, however. While no recall was initiated as the items are no longer available for purchase on store shelves, the FSIS nevertheless urged anyone who may have bought the wraps and stored them in their refrigerators to discard them immediately.
According to the FSIS, listeriosis – the infection caused by L. monocytogenes – can be life-threatening, particularly for older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are most especially at risk, as the sickness can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches and confusion. Those experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention promptly, as listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
From sandwiches to shakes: The growing Listeria threat
This latest warning follows a string of recent recalls tied to Listeria contamination. Earlier this month, California-based Fresh & Ready Foods pulled ready-to-eat sandwiches and snacks from shelves after an outbreak linked to 10 hospitalizations in California and Nevada. In February, a separate outbreak tied to Lyons Magnus' frozen shakes resulted in 38 infections, 37 hospitalizations and 12 deaths across 21 states. (Related: Nationwide listeria outbreak linked to recalled sandwiches sparks public health alert.)
The FSIS alert also underscores ongoing concerns about Listeria outbreaks in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pathogen is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the country – estimated to infect 1,600 and kill 260 every year.
Recent Listeria outbreaks have prompted the FSIS to implement stricter testing and oversight measures in December 2024. The agency now conducts broader Listeria species testing on ready-to-eat products and has equipped inspectors with enhanced tools to detect systemic food safety risks. Despite these efforts, gaps remain, as evidenced by the current alert.
As food safety authorities work to contain the latest contamination scare, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent risks lurking in everyday meals. It also underscores the importance of vigilance in an era of increasingly complex food supply chains.
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