Frozen Pasta Recalled In New York State Due To Listeria Contamination
A frozen pasta brand is being recalled in New York because of possible listeria concerns. Listeria is a bacteria that can be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, listeriosis kills almost 300 people per year,
Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, Caesar's Pasta, LLC of Blackwood, New Jersey, is recalling 5,610 pounds of frozen manicotti, due to the potential that it is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The frozen manicotti was packaged in 10-pound bulk boxes branded as Orefresco and Caesar's Pasta. The affected product has a "Best By" date of September 28, 2024.
The good news, if there is any, is that the product was not distributed to grocery stores. Rather, it was sent to food service distributors, who distributed it to restaurants in Southeastern New York State, as well as Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Northeastern, Pennsylvania.
The product is not considered "Not-Ready-To-Eat." Instructions on the product label state that the pasta must be cooked to 160 degrees, which would effectively kill the listeria. No illness has been reported.
If you have recently ordered a manicotti dish from a restaurant in the affected area, you could have been exposed. If you plan on heading to any Italian restaurants in the affected-areas, you might want to steer clear of ordering manicotti.