Urgent Health Alert: Trader Joe's Turkey Wraps Nationwide Contamination Scare

A critical public health alert has been issued nationwide concerning Trader Joe's ready-to-eat cranberry chicken and turkey wraps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has flagged these popular items due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections.

The alert, which impacts products distributed across the entire country, stems from routine sampling conducted by the California Department of Public Health.

This testing revealed the presence of Listeria in certain batches of the wraps manufactured by GHSE LLC, operating as Glass Onion Catering, located in Evergreen, Colorado. While no confirmed illnesses have been reported to date, the potential risk is significant, prompting this urgent warning to consumers.

The affected product is specifically the “TRADER JOE'S CRANBERRY CHICKEN & TURKEY WRAP.” Consumers should carefully check their refrigerators for packages bearing specific “Use By” dates, such as 08/07/2024, 08/08/2024, and 08/09/2024 (please check your product for specific dates and lot codes mentioned on packaging).

The wraps also carry establishment number “P-34195” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products, typically found in the refrigerated sections of Trader Joe's stores, are likely no longer available for purchase, but could still be in consumers' homes.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can be particularly dangerous.

Symptoms often include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms, Listeria infection can be severe for pregnant women, potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at a higher risk of serious, even fatal, infections.

FSIS advises consumers who have purchased these specific Trader Joe's cranberry chicken and turkey wraps not to consume them. Instead, they should either discard the product immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

It is also recommended to thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the potentially contaminated wraps to prevent cross-contamination.

This alert underscores the constant vigilance required in food safety and the importance of paying attention to public health notices.

For any questions regarding this alert, consumers are encouraged to contact Trader Joe's customer service or FSIS directly. Your health and safety are paramount.