Ruth’s Salads expands recall of pimento spread for Listeria risk

Ruth’s Salads has expanded a limited recall of pimento spread to include additional sizes and flavors, as well as a pineapple cream cheese product because random testing by state inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes.

The expanded recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website Thursday does not specify whether the pathogen was found in finished product or in the production facility.

To see photos of all of the recalled Ruth’s products, click on the image.

Originally, on Feb. 2, Ruth’s Salads recalled only one lot of 7-ounce containers of pimento spread from five states.

Now, all lots of seven products are being recalled from en states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia.

No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the products, but it can take up to 70 days after exposure for the symptoms of Listeria infection to develop, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers can identify the recalled products, which are packed in plastic containers, by looking for “Packed by B&H Foods, Inc., Chester, SC” on the labels. The specific products recalled, and other identifying label information, are:

• Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread, 7-ounce with UPC number 74952-00005;
• Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread, 12-ounce with UPC number 74952-12023;
• Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread, 24-ounce with UPC number 74952-24023;
• Ruth’s Old Fashion Pimento Spread, 16-ounce with UPC number 74952-15005;
• Ruth’s Jalapeno Pimento Spread, 12-ounce with UPC number 74952-12014;
• Ruth’s Lite Pimento Spread, 12-ounce with UPC number 74952-12000; and
• Ruth’s Cream Cheese w/Pineapple-Pecans, 12-ounce with UPC number 74952-12008.

“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund,” according to the recall notice. “All lots and Sell by Dates for products labeled as ‘Packed by B&H Foods, Inc., Chester, SC’ are being recalled. Products labeled as packed in Charlotte, NC, are not included in this recall.”

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and inform their doctors of the possible exposure to the pathogen.

Listeria monocytogenes is a microscopic organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

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