Enchilada recall issued nationwide as FDA sets risk level

A nationwide recall of enchiladas has been announced after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a potential health risk linked to the popular frozen meal.

Why It Matters

The recall was initiated over fears of possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that listeria, which poses risks in pregnancy, is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. and is responsible for roughly 1,600 cases of food poisoning each year and about 260 fatalities.

According to the FDA, the pathogen can cause "serious and sometimes fatal infections" in older people, young children and those with a weakened immune system. Symptoms of the invasive illness include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures.

Civic Science recently revealed in a report that more than 80 percent of Americans are worried about food recalls. Nearly one-third of respondents said that they were very worried. The data was based on more than 2,000 U.S. adults, collected between December 2 and 4, and weighted to be nationally representative. There were more than two dozen food recalls issued in December.

What To Know

Thousands of Member's Mark Hatch Chile Chicken Enchiladas are being recalled nationwide over listeria concerns. Sam's Club initiated the recall voluntarily.

Newsweek has contacted Sam's Club for comment via email.

They are packaged in an aluminum or black oven-safe tray, according to the recall notice. The product UPC code on the enchiladas is 00226529000004 or 00409802813793, the recall notice adds. Some 16,181 packages of the product are being recalled after being distributed nationwide.

The products have been given a Class II classification by the FDA.

A Class II recall is issued when a product may cause health effects which are temporary or medically reversible, or when there is a remote probability of a serious health consequence.

It is not clear if any illnesses have been reported in connection with the contamination.

Customers who bought the enchiladas are urged not to consume them and to discard of them, regardless of their use-by date. On its website, Sam's Club said customers can receive a refund if they bought a recalled product online.

The voluntary recall was initiated on October 16 and the FDA issued its classification on December 31.

What Happens Next

The recall is currently ongoing. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact their local FDA complaint coordinator.