Contaminated jerky recall includes more than a dozen products found in North Carolina

Jerky lovers in North Carolina are being warned to avoid a series of ready-to-eat products that may be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious illness.

The recall includes about 1,634 pounds of “jerky products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

Contamination was discovered when a routine product sampling tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, the Food Safety and Inspection Service reports.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” FSIS said in a March 4 news release.

“Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.”

Infection can be fatal for older adults and people with weak immune systems, experts say.

Fifteen products with a variety of packaging are involved, all of them manufactured by Boyd Specialties, LLC, of California, officials said.

The types of jerky are: Garlic Pepper; Straight Whiskey; Carne Asada; Mango Habanero; Carolina Reaper; Cracked Black Pepper; Old Fashioned Maple Flavor; Teriyaki; Honey & Pepper Bacon; “Oh” That’s Hot; Cowboy Style Carolina Reaper; Cowboy Style Original; Smoky Bar-B (BBQ); Peppered Orange Teriyaki (POT); and Boysenberry.

Labels bear such names as Rebel’s Gourmet, Ranchview Jerky Co., Humboldt Jerky Co., Durbin Farms Market, The Classy Cow, Smokehouse Jerky and Rock Ridge Jerky, officials said.

“The products subject to recall bear establishment number ‘EST. 40269’ inside the USDA mark of inspection,” FSIS said.

“These items were shipped to retail locations in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.”

Symptoms of listeriosis include “fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms,” federal officials say.

No confirmed illnesses have been connected to the recalled jerky products, FSIS said. “Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider,” the agency says.