Wal-Mart Supplier Recalls Frozen Pizzas for Listeria Contamination
A Wal-Mart supplier has issued a recall for frozen pizzas sold in 11 U.S. states including California for possible listeria contamination. According to Huffington Post, about 6,700 pizzas sold under the retailer’s Marketside brand were affected by this recall. RBR Meat Company recalled about 21,220 pounds of Marketside Extra Large Supreme Pizza that were shipped to retail centers in California, Nevada, Utah and Washington. Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are not aware of any illnesses linked to the pizzas.
Wal-Mart said it started removing the products from its shelves and inventory as soon as it got notice of the recall from Rose & Shore, a food company affiliated with RBR, which is based in Vernon, California. Sam’s Club was not affected. Consumers are urged not to eat the recalled pizzas. RBR reportedly discovered the possible listeria contamination during routine sampling.
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a serious illness caused by consuming food that is tainted with the bacterium. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infection is most likely to affect pregnant women and babies, the elderly (adults older than 65) and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, listeriosis could lead to miscarriages or stillbirths. About 1,600 get listeriosis each year in the U.S. and about 260 die. The CDC is also investigating a multistate listeria outbreak linked to the consumption of cheese made from raw milk that was manufactured by Vulto Creamery. This unrelated issue has led to two deaths.
If you develop a listeria infection, you may experience symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. Symptoms may begin a few days after you’ve eaten the contaminated food, but it may take as long as 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of the infection begin. If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, you may also experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion or changes in alertness, loss of balance and convulsions.
If You Have Been Affected
If you have suffered from listeriosis and have required hospitalization or medical treatment, you may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. It would be in your best interest to register a complaint with your local healthcare agency. If you have any of the tainted product at home, isolate and preserve it carefully so it can be analyzed in a laboratory for the presence of the bacterium. Contact an experienced California food poisoning lawyer who will be able to provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights.