A nationwide recall of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon is here to ruin your July 4th weekend with fears of Listeria

If you were looking forward to having some turkey bacon over the July 4th holiday weekend, there’s some bad news. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has published an active recall notice that affects multiple Kraft Heinz Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products. 

It is feared that over 360,000 pounds of the products may be contaminated with the potentially life-threatening Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Here’s what you need to know about the nationwide recall.

What is the reason for the turkey bacon recall?

According to the recall notice posted by the FSIS, the recall is being initiated after laboratory testing at the Kraft Heinz establishment that produces the turkey bacon products, indicating the products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

What turkey bacon products are being recalled?

This recall covers three products. The notice states that approximately 367,812 pounds of the three products are being recalled.

Here are the details, according to the recall listing on the FSIS’s website:

• 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original and universal product code (UPC) 071871548601 printed on the packaging under the barcode, with use by dates ranging from 18 July 2025 to 2 August 2025, and lot code RS40.
• 36-ounce packages containing three 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original and UPC 071871548748 printed on the packaging under the barcode, with use by dates ranging from 23 July 2025 to 4 September 2025, and lot code RS19, RS40, or RS42.
• 48-ounce packages containing four 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original and UPC 071871548793 printed on the packaging under the barcode, with use by dates ranging from 18 July 2025 to 4 September 2025, and lot code RS19, RS40, or RS42.

Images of the recalled products in their packaging can be found on the FSIS website.

Where was the recalled product sold?

The FSIS notice confirms that the recalled products were sold at retail locations nationwide in America. 

Additionally, some of the products were exported to Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.

When was the recalled product sold?

The turkey bacon products that are being recalled were produced from April 24 through June 11 and so were sold after the originating April date. 

As noted above, the use by dates for the affected products stretch from July to September, meaning customers may still have the products in their refrigerators or freezers.

What is Listeria?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria is a genus of bacteria that can cause severe illness in infected individuals. In the United States, about 1,600 people are known to be infected every year. 

But what’s worrying about Listeria infections is that they have a high fatality rate. A Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from a foodborne illness in the U.S., says the CDC. Listeria infections kill around 260 people in the U.S. every year.

Have the recalled turkey bacon products harmed anyone?

Thankfully, the FSIS notice says that so far, there have been no confirmed reports of people having adverse reactions due to consuming the recalled turkey bacon products.

What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?

According to the FSIS, a Listeria infection, known as Listeriosis, can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• fever
• muscle aches
• headache
• stiff neck
• confusion
• loss of balance
• convulsions

The above symptoms can sometimes be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the FSIS. 

If a person is pregnant, they can be particularly vulnerable to Listeriosis, which can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and other complications. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk of more serious complications.

What do I do if I have the recalled turkey bacon products?

The FSIS says consumers who have the products in their possession should not consume them. Instead, the products should be taken back to their place of purchase for a refund or disposed of.

Full details of the turkey bacon recall can be found here.