Amtrak has issued a recall of sandwiches and fruit cups sold on its trains and in stations due to a risk of listeria contamination. The recall applies to sandwiches and fruit cups sold before October 21, 2020, and affects customers in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.
According to the recall notice, the sandwiches and fruit cups were sold in pre-packaged containers and may have been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Amtrak is asking customers who have purchased a recalled product to discard it immediately and seek a full refund. Passengers can contact Amtrak’s customer service department or go to the Amtrak website to request a refund.
The recall is the latest in a string of listeria-related recalls in recent months. In August, a popular brand of deli meat was recalled due to listeria contamination. And in September, a batch of cheese was recalled due to a potential listeria risk.
Listeria is a serious foodborne illness that can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. It is important to take precautions when handling and preparing food to prevent the spread of listeria. This includes washing hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling raw food, and cooking food to the proper temperature.
Amtrak is taking the recall seriously and is working with the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration to investigate the source of the contamination. In the meantime, Amtrak is urging customers to discard any recalled sandwiches and fruit cups and seek a refund.