Federal food safety officials have announced a recall of imported ready-to-eat pork jowl products that may pose a health risk due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects approximately 1,513 pounds of dry-cured pork jowl, specifically guanciale, an Italian delicacy frequently used in a variety of pasta dishes.
The recall was initiated by Prime Line Distributors Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ferrarini USA Inc. from Hoboken, New Jersey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) made the announcement on Sunday, highlighting that the affected products were shipped to various distributors and food service locations across Texas and several other states, including California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.
The specific products under recall include various-weight cardboard cases containing two individually vacuum-packed pieces labeled “GUANCIALE PORK JOWL PRODUCT OF ITALY.” These products bear the lot number “263311US” and a “BEST IF USE BY DATE” of “05.16.27.” Additionally, individually vacuum-packed packages labeled “FERRARINI GUANCIALE DRY-CURED PORK JOWL,” also with the same lot number and date, are included in the recall.
All affected products carry the establishment number “IT 1937 L CE,” either inside the Italian mark of inspection or printed on the case label. This recall stems from routine import reinspection testing, where a sample was found to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes—a pathogen that can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations.
While no illnesses have yet been reported in connection to these products, federal officials advise anyone who may have consumed the affected guanciale to monitor for symptoms. Listeriosis can manifest as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
Consumers and food service operators are urged to check their inventories and discard any products matching the recall details. For further information, those concerned about their health should contact their healthcare provider, and for more insights into food safety, the FSIS website offers extensive resources on handling potential foodborne illnesses.
