Costco recalls salad kit over possible listeria contamination

If you shop at Costco, you may want to double-check your fridge.

A notice on Tuesday warned customers who purchased Taylor Farms Mexican Style salad kits to not consume the product.

The wholesaler says that the cheese inside may be contaminated with a bacteria known as listeria.

The potentially contaminated products were sold at Costco warehouses and business stores between Jan. 12 and Feb 6.

“In response to a voluntary recall initiated by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., who produces and supplies cheese products, Taylor Farms Retail is voluntarily recalling the Mexican Style Street Corn Salad Kit,” a notice from the salad manufacturer read on Costco’s customer service page.’

Listeria monocytogenes is a kind of bacteria that can lead to listeriosis infection when consumed. It can be found almost anywhere and is commonly spread by improper food handling practices.

According to Health Canada, symptoms can begin to show within three days of eating food contaminated by the bacteria and may show up in one of the following ways:

• fever
• nausea
• cramps
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• headache
• constipation
• muscle aches

In severe cases of listeriosis, it can spread to the nervous system, cause blood poisoning or brain infections and sometimes even be fatal.

Taylor Farms Retail says it is offering a full refund for anyone who may have purchased their now-recalled product and is apologizing for the inconvenience.

For more information on the recall, visit Costco’s customer service page here.