Health alert issued for salads produced in Topeka over listeria fear

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Federal health officials have issued a public health alert for salad products produced in Topeka due to possible listeria contamination.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported on Sunday, July 27, that it has issued a public health alert for ham salad products produced at Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. in Topeka. The FSIS said the alert is being issued as the salad products contain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated breadcrumbs that were recalled by Newly Weds Foods over concerns they were contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.

Federal health officials issued the alert to make sure more people are aware of the recall and the danger that comes with consuming food products contaminated with listeria. The FSIS reports the following products distributed nationwide are included in the recall:

• 12-oz. printed plastic tubs containing “Reser’s Fine Foods Ham Salad” with sell by dates of 09/01/25.
• 5-lb. clear plastic tubs containing “Molly’s Kitchen Ham Salad” with sell by dates of 08/31/25.

The FSIS said the problem was initially noticed when the Topeka Reser’s Fine Foods location determined the breadcrumbs used in the ham salad products may be contaminated with listeria. People who eat products that contain listeria are at risk of serious or even life-threatening infections.

Older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women are at a higher risk when they come into contact with listeria and may develop listeriosis. People who have listeriosis may experience fevers, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea, according to the FSIS. Listeriosis is known to cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery and life-threatening infections in newborn children.

The FSIS said no confirmed reports of illnesses have been received yet in connection to this public health alert. Federal health officials say people should either return the ham salad products or throw them away. People who have questions about this recall are encouraged to call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or send an email to mphotline@usda.gov.

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