
A large-scale recall of several cheeseburger products has been announced due to a potential Listeria contamination. South Dakota-based Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches issued a voluntary recall on Friday for three cheeseburgers: the “Pepperjack Cheeseburger,” the “Bacon Cheeseburger,” and “The Gambler.”
The recall stems from a broader meat recall initiated by BrucePac, the company’s supplier, which has been recalling meat products since October 9 over contamination concerns. Dakota Tom’s has distributed the affected burgers to stores in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming.
So far, there have been no reported cases of illness connected to the contaminated burgers, but customers are being warned not to consume the products. Instead, they should return the sandwiches to the store for a refund or discard them. Listeria is a serious concern, especially for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems. Pregnant women are particularly at risk, as Listeria infection can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, though healthy individuals typically experience short-term discomfort. However, the FDA warns that infections can become more severe, and consumers are urged to take the recall seriously.
This recall comes after BrucePac announced that it had expanded the initial recall from nearly 10 million pounds of meat to 11.8 million pounds. Some of the recalled products had even been sent to schools. The USDA has published a list of affected meat and poultry products, providing detailed information for consumers and retailers.