Kraft Heinz to pull Oscar Mayer turkey bacon from shelves over listeria risk

USA – Kraft Heinz is recalling approximately 362,760 pounds of Oscar Mayer fully cooked turkey bacon following concerns over possible listeria contamination.

The recall, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), covers products made between April 24 and June 11, 2025.

The impacted items were distributed nationwide, with some shipments also sent to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

According to the FSIS, the potential contamination was identified through routine internal testing conducted by Kraft Heinz.

So far, no illnesses tied to the recalled products have been reported, but the agency is urging consumers to check packaging for affected “use by” dates ranging from July 18 to September 4, 2025.

The recall includes various sizes of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original, though specific lot numbers and labels were not immediately detailed.

Growing concerns over listeria in processed meat

This incident adds to a string of listeria-related meat recalls that have hit the food industry in the past year.

In September 2024, deli meat brand Boar’s Head shut down one of its plants after a listeria outbreak resulted in nine deaths and the recall of over 7 million pounds of product.

Listeria poses a heightened threat in ready-to-eat meats like deli slices and cooked bacon because the bacteria can survive in cold storage.

According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, there were 65 listeria-related food recalls in 2024, a rise from 47 the year before.

In response to escalating risks, the USDA announced plans last year to intensify inspection efforts at meat processing facilities.

However, in March 2025, a scientific advisory panel formed to guide the government’s regulatory approach to listeria was disbanded as part of federal budget cuts and restructuring initiatives under the Trump administration.

Potential health effects and public warnings

Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious infection called Listeriosis, especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and newborns.

Symptoms may not appear immediately and can take several weeks to develop after consuming contaminated food, according to the FSIS.

Consumers are advised to dispose of or return the affected Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products to the point of purchase for a refund.

No other Kraft Heinz or Oscar Mayer products are included in this recall at the moment.

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