The wiener products were produced on July 24, and distributed to retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama, and Tennessee. The problem was discovered as a result of sampling at the retail level by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Food and Drug Protection Division. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis.
Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea.
FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Media with questions may contact Joe Lay, president, Lay Packing Company, Inc., at the same number. Thoroughly reheating food can help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat them.