M.C.I. Foods Inc. has recalled around 91,585 pounds of breakfast burritos and wraps due to a potential listeria contamination of the egg content in the products. The recall was announced on the 18th by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after M.C.I. Foods notified them of positive listeria contamination found while conducting a routine test from its external suppliers.
The recalled burritos and wraps were produced between Sept. 17 and Oct. 14 and were shipped to institutions across the country—including schools. That we know of, the brands affected were El Más Fino, Los Cabos, and Midamar. While an earlier statement suggested the products were part of the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, FSIS has since clarified that this was not the case. However, they may have been commercially sold through third parties to schools.
Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced another potential recall. On October 24 another batch of around 92,640 burritos—also reportedly tainted with listeria– have also been reported from seven unnamed distributors across the nation.
We do not yet have all the item names and codes for the second recall; however, the list of items affected and their lot numbers for the earlier recall goes as follows:
- El Mas Fino’s Egg, Ham, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito (Lot Code: 80903)
- El Mas Fino’s Egg, Sausage, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito (Lot Code: 80897)
- Los Cabos’ Egg, Cheese, Potato & Cooked Sausage Crumbles (Made with Turkey) Breakfast Wrap (Lot Code: 80900)
- Los Cabos’ Egg, Cheese & Cooked Sausage Crumbles (Made with Turkey) Breakfast Wrap (Lot Code: 80872; 80876; 80881)
- Los Cabos’ Cheese, Cooked Sausage Crumbles (Made with Turkey) & Egg Breakfast Wrap (Lot Code: 80892; 80898; 80931)
- Midamar’s Egg, Cheese & Beef with Sausage Seasoning Breakfast Wrap (Lot Code: 80972; 80977)
As of today, no illness reports in relation to the situation have been made.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S., affecting an estimated1,250 people every year. Consumption of contaminated food can cause listeriosis, an infection that can be fatal to older adults or those who are immunocompromised. The symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. The infection is especially dangerous to pregnant women, being able to cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature deliveries, or spread the infection to the newborn, which is often life-threatening in those cases.
Consumers have been urged to check if they are in possession of and discard any recalled items.
