Caesar’s Pasta, LLC of Blackwood, New Jersey, USA is recalling 5,610 lbs. of frozen manicotti because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection could result in miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The frozen manicotti in question was sold to various foodservice distributors with restaurant clients in the regional areas of Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Northeastern Pennsylvania; Southeastern New York State; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Packaged in 10 lb. bulk boxes under the brand names Orefresco and Caesar’s Pasta with a “Best By” date of September 28, 2024, none of the products entered retail markets.
The frozen manicotti is categorized as “Not-Ready-To-Eat” and cooking instructions on the packaging label clearly state that product must be cooked to 160°F, which would effectively kill any present bacteria.
The recall was the result of a routine sampling program, which revealed that the finished products may contain the bacteria. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Caesar’s Pasta continue their investigation as to what may have caused the problem.
All of the producer’s customers who received deliveries of the manicotti in question have been notified and provided instructed to discard the product.