Cheeseburger Recall Expands In 5 States Over Listeria Concerns

Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches announced a major recall on Friday, affecting several cheeseburger products sold in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wyoming. The recall was prompted by a potential Listeria contamination in the “Pepperjack Cheeseburger,” the “Bacon Cheeseburger,” and “The Gambler,” all of which were produced with meat supplied by BrucePac.

Earlier this month, BrucePac initiated a recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat after discovering the Listeria risk. That recall has since expanded to 11.8 million pounds, with some of the contaminated products being distributed to schools.

Though no cases of illness have been reported, consumers are advised not to eat the recalled cheeseburgers. They should either return the items for a refund or dispose of them properly. Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria at the center of the recall, poses a serious health threat, particularly for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. The FDA warns that while healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms, such as fever and nausea, the infection can cause far more serious complications, including miscarriages or stillbirths.

Dakota Tom’s recall highlights the widespread impact of BrucePac’s meat recall, which has prompted a national conversation about food safety. The USDA has posted a detailed list of the meats and poultry affected, and consumers are urged to take the necessary precautions.