Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) has issued a voluntary recall of 12 types of ReadyMeals and deli items due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects products sold at popular grocery chains like Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and Vons, spanning several states including California, Texas, Illinois, and Washington.
The recall was prompted by an investigation initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, the supplier of the affected products. Routine tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed Listeria contamination in a ready-to-eat chicken ingredient sourced from BrucePac in Durant, Oklahoma.
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious bacterium that can cause severe infections in vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. Symptoms of Listeria infection can include fever, nausea, and in severe cases, even miscarriages. Albertsons advises anyone who has consumed the recalled products and experiences flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
To ensure safety, Albertsons urges customers to check their refrigerators for the recalled ReadyMeals and deli items. If found, these products should be disposed of immediately.
In other news related to Albertsons, the company recently launched Bee Lightly, a new wine brand featuring an innovative flat bottle made entirely from recycled PET. This is a first in the U.S. wine industry, highlighting Albertsons’ commitment to sustainability.
For investors interested in gaining exposure to Albertsons, the First Trust Cons. Staples AlphaDEX FXG offers an opportunity to track the company’s performance.
ACI shares saw a slight premarket increase of 0.05% to $18.38 on Monday.