Walmart Frozen Pizza Recall Issued Due to Listeria Food Poisoning Risk

More than 21,000 pounds of frozen Walmart pizzas are being recalled, due to a risk that they may be contaminated with listeria, which may cause severe and potentially life-threatening food poisoning. 

The Walmart pizza recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on March 15, after routine sample testing by the manufacturer discovered the contamination. To date, no reports of listeria food poisoning have been linked to the recalled pizza.

The Walmart supreme frozen pizzas are being recalled due to the potential that the products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogens, a foodborne bacteria that may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections among those with weakened immune systems, such as children, the elderly and pregnant women.

Included in the recall are 50.6 ounce Marketside Extra Large Supreme Pizzas, which were sold in corrugated boxes containing 1 shrink wrapped 16-inch pizza. The pizza boxes are marked with lot code 20547 and are marked with the establishment number “EST. 1821” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The recalled pizzas were manufactured by RBR Meat Company Inc., of Vernon, California on February 23, 2017. They were shipped to Walmart distribution centers in California, Nevada, Utah and Washington. According to the recall, an estimated 21,220 pounds of the frozen pizza products are included in the recall.

Listerosis is a foodborne illness that can cause serious health consequences and death, especially for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The infection is considered by the FDA as one of the more dangerous foodborne illnesses, frequently resulting in hospitalizations and has a 25% fatality rate.

Symptoms of listeria infections may include nausea, muscle ache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases for the elderly and young children, the bacteria could spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system resulting in sometimes fatal infections. For pregnant women, listerosis can pose a risk of miscarriages, still births, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Customers with recalled supreme frozen pizzas are being asked to stop consuming them immediately and to either discard the products or return them to their place of purchase. Customers with furthers questions should contact Eunice Wu, QA Director, of RBR Meat Company, at 323-826-2144 Ext. 190.