Taylor Farms Northwest is recalling ready-to-eat pork carnitas bowls because one of its suppliers reported tomatillos used in the product might be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The recalled entrees have plain white labels with black printing “PORK CARNITAS BOWL” and sell-by dates of Oct. 10 through 19, according to a recall notice posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” according to the notice.

All 276 pounds of the recalled product have the establishment number “EST. 34834” printed inside the USDA inspection mark on the labels.

Other than the establishment number and sell-by dates, the recall notice does not include any other codes consumers can use to identify the recalled products. Taylor Farms LLC, based in Kent, WA, distributed the 11-ounce plastic wrapped pork carnitas bowls to retailers in Washington and Oregon. 

Taylor Farms did not name the supplier of the fire-roasted diced tomatillos used in the recalled bowls, which were produced from Oct. 10-14. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact the Taylor Farms Northwest consumer at 855-455-0098.   

As of the posting of the recall notice, no one had reported confirmed adverse reactions. However, it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop. Symptoms of Salmonella infection generally develop within 12 to 72 hours of exposure.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of foodborne illnesses should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about the possible exposure to both bacteria. Also, people who have eaten the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms of salmonellosis and listeriosis in the coming days and weeks.

Some symptoms that are common for both types of infections are diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms and fever. Salmonella infections can also cause abdominal cramps and sometimes vomiting. Listeria infections often cause additional symptoms, including muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

Otherwise healthy adults often recover from the infections with few problems. People in high risk groups can develop severe and life-threatening infections with complications. High-risk groups include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, which includes cancer patients and HIV patients.   

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

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