Public Health Alert Issued for Ham Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for two varieties of ham salad products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), a potentially serious foodborne pathogen. 

The products in question contain breadcrumb ingredients recalled by the FDA and manufactured by Newly Weds Foods.

FSIS is urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers and to avoid consuming the affected products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection. The public health alert is intended to prevent further consumption while investigations continue and more information becomes available. Additional products may be added to the alert as the situation develops.
Products Included in the Alert:

• Reser’s Fine Foods Ham Salad: 12-ounce printed plastic tubs with a Sell By date of 09/01/25
• Molly’s Kitchen Ham Salad: 5-pound clear plastic tubs with a Sell By date of 08/31/25

The issue was discovered by Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., based in Topeka, Kansas, after it identified that the recalled breadcrumb ingredients, regulated by the FDA, had been used in the production of the ham salads.

Health Risks and Symptoms

Although there have been no confirmed cases of illness linked to these products, consumers are advised to exercise caution. Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that mainly affects older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.

Symptoms of listeriosis may include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or loss of balance
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms

In pregnant women, listeriosis can result in miscarriages, stillbirths, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two months of eating these products should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider of the potential exposure.
Consumer Guidance

FSIS warns that these products may still be stored in consumer or retail refrigerators and freezers. Consumers are urged not to eat the ham salad products and to discard or return them to the place of purchase. Retailers are also advised not to serve or sell the affected items.

For questions about food safety, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov.