No matter how you look at it, 87,382 pounds (43.5 tons) of meat is a fairly large amount of product to be yanked off Illinois store shelves and searched for in home refrigerators and freezers.

But, when you consider why all of this meat is being recalled (potential listeria contamination), it's much better to be on the safe side.

Getty Images
That little candy dish is disgusting. (Getty Images)
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According To The USDA, More Than 60 Meat Products That Were Sold Here In Illinois And Two Other States May Be Contaminated With Listeria

Before we get to the run-down of items on the recall list, let's look at why listeria contamination is such a big deal. According to the USDA's Food Safety And Inspection Service (FSIS):

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems can occur.

Slide with meat sample on microscope in laboratory. Poison detection
I like to examine all my food under a microscope before dining. (Getty Images)
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Behrmann Meat And Processing Of Albers, Illinois Says That The Recalled Products Were Produced Between July 7th and September 9th

The FSIS reports that the products subject to recall have the establishment number “EST 20917” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations and wholesale distributors here in Illinois, along with Kentucky and Missouri.

They say that the problem was discovered through product and environmental testing performed by FSIS and Behrmann Meat And Processing, which identified Listeria monocytogenes in the processing environment and in products produced by the establishment.

At this point, the concern is that some product may be in consumers’ pantries, refrigerators, or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Scientist hold rapid test cassette for Listeria test, diagnosis for Listeriosis
I don't know about you, but all these listeria photos are killing my appetite. (Getty Images)
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Since There Are More Than 60 Items On The Recall List, Let's Make This Easier On Both Of Us

I only have so much space in which to list things, so I thought it might be easier to provide you with a link to the USDA's FSIS website, where you can check out the whole list for yourself:

  • Click here for the full list of recalled meats.
  • Click here for more information on reaching out for a return or refund

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