Ohio-based Johnsonville Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling approximately 95,000 pounds of its ready-to-eat ham salad products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The nationwide ham salad recall, announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), affects products distributed to major retail chains across the United States.
The Ham Salad Recall
| Key Fact | Detail |
| Product Recalled | Johnsonville’s Old-Fashioned Ham Salad (12 oz. and 24 oz. containers) |
| Reason for Recall | Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes |
| Affected Batches | Products with “Use By” dates from AUG 15, 2025, to SEP 05, 2025 |
| Consumer Action | Do not consume. Dispose of the product or return it for a full refund. |
Details of the Nationwide Ham Salad Recall
The recall applies to 12-ounce and 24-ounce plastic tubs of “Johnsonville’s Old-Fashioned Ham Salad” bearing the establishment number “EST. 7811” inside the USDA mark of inspection. According to the FSIS alert, the affected products were shipped to distribution centers and retail locations in all 50 states.
Major grocery chains confirmed to be carrying the product include Kroger, Safeway, and Publix. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for the product. The specific lot codes and “Use By” dates can be found on the bottom of the containers. The problem was discovered during routine product testing conducted by the company, which then notified the FSIS. While Johnsonville Fine Foods initiated the recall, the FSIS is now working to ensure all affected products are removed from commerce.
Health Risks of Listeria Contamination
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Unlike many other germs, it can grow even in the cold temperatures of a refrigerator. Healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
However, the infection can be far more serious, and sometimes fatal, for certain vulnerable populations. “Pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a significantly higher risk for severe illness,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a food safety expert at Cornell University’s Department of Food Science. “In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that it is aware of 12 listeriosis cases across seven states that are being investigated for a potential link to this recall.
Company Response and Consumer Guidance
In a statement released Wednesday, Johnsonville Fine Foods apologized to its customers and stated that food safety is its top priority. “We are working diligently with the FSIS to execute this recall and investigate the root cause of the issue,” the statement read. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are implementing enhanced testing protocols to prevent any future occurrences.”
The FSIS and the company advise consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the Johnsonville Fine Foods consumer hotline. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Understanding the Investigation Process
The discovery of the contamination during routine testing highlights the multi-layered nature of modern food safety systems. Companies are often required to conduct their own microbiological tests on finished products as part of their safety plans.
“Internal testing caught the problem, triggering a recall before more people could be exposed. The next step for FSIS and the company is a full root-cause analysis to pinpoint exactly where in the production chain the contamination occurred from raw ingredients to processing equipment to packaging.” Federal investigators will likely inspect the facility, review sanitation records, and conduct extensive environmental swabbing to find the source of the Listeria.
The investigation into the full scope of the outbreak is ongoing. The FSIS will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and is conducting effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms are notifying their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.
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