Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled for possible listeria contamination

What to know about listeria

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeriosis is an infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

LOS ANGELES - Turkey bacon lovers might want to check their fridge.

Kraft Heinz Foods has recalled hundreds of thousands of pounds of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The affected products were shipped nationwide and internationally, but no confirmed illnesses have been reported, according to federal food safety officials.

What products are affected by the turkey bacon recall?

The backstory:

The recalled turkey bacon was produced between April 24 and June 11 at Kraft Heinz’s facility in Newberry, South Carolina. The company discovered the issue after routine lab testing showed potential listeria contamination.

The recall includes the following products:

• 12-ounce packages with UPC 071871548601, use-by dates from July 18 to Aug. 2, and lot code RS40
• 36-ounce packages (three 12-ounce packs) with UPC 071871548748, use-by dates from July 23 to Sept. 4, and lot codes RS19, RS40, RS42
• 48-ounce packages (four 12-ounce packs) with UPC 071871548793, use-by dates from July 18 to Sept. 4, and lot codes RS19, RS40, RS42

These products were shipped to U.S. retailers as well as to stores in the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

What we know:

Key details about the recall and safety risks have been confirmed by federal and company officials:

• The recall includes nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon produced this spring.
• Listeria contamination was flagged during company testing; no illnesses have been confirmed.
• Consumers are advised to throw the product away or return it to the store for a refund.

What we don't know:

Several questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues:

• Whether any contaminated product made it into the food supply before the recall.
• If additional products or brands from the same facility will be recalled.
• How long Kraft Heinz or federal agencies had test results before the public was notified.

What are the risks of listeria and how can you stay safe?

Why you should care:

Listeria can cause life-threatening illness, especially in pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and even convulsions in severe cases.

This 12-ounce package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original is among the products recalled nationwide due to possible listeria contamination, according to Kraft Heinz and federal food safety officials. (USDA)

According to the CDC, about 1,600 people in the U.S. get sick from listeria each year, and around 260 die.

Federal officials say they’ve been working to improve food safety protocols since a wave of high-profile listeria outbreaks, including one in 2024 tied to Boar’s Head deli meats that resulted in 10 deaths and over 60 illnesses.

What's next:

The USDA and Kraft Heinz will likely continue investigating the scope of the contamination. In the meantime, shoppers should carefully check any Oscar Mayer turkey bacon in their refrigerator or freezer and discard it if it matches the listed codes.