Costco is pulling its Kirkland Signature ham from the shelves. Why? There might be listeria in it, warns the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The ham in question comes from Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats in Manteca, California. But don't worry too much. The recall only affects stores in Northern California and Western Nevada.
The specific ham to look out for is "Kirkland Signature Applewood Smoked Master Carve Half Ham Boneless With Natural Juices." Check for a Use/Freeze by date of Jan 2024 and a sticker with lot number 264 - 4.
This ham was sold from Sept. 26 to Sept. 29. If you bought it, don't eat it. Costco is telling members to bring it back for a full refund.
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How did they find out about the listeria? Tests from Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats showed the ham might be contaminated.
Good news—no one has reported getting sick from this ham so far. But listeria is no joke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can cause a serious infection.
Each year, around 1,600 people in the U.S. get listeriosis, and about 260 die from it. The people at the most risk are pregnant women, babies, older adults, and anyone with a weak immune system.
Most healthy people don't show symptoms. But if you're pregnant, be extra cautious. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. In bad cases, listeria can lead to miscarriage or even death of the baby.
Others might face symptoms like headaches, a stiff neck, and even seizures. If you're generally healthy, the death rate from listeriosis is about 5%, says the CDC.
Lastly, eating contaminated food can make you sick to your stomach. Expect diarrhea and vomiting for one to three days, usually starting within a day of eating the bad food.
