USDA Issues Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Ham Products Over Listeria Fears

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat ham products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The agency is concerned that the affected products may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers, even though they are no longer available for purchase. No confirmed reports of illness have been received to date.

Key Details of the Health Alert

Key Fact	Detail
Affected Product	Sunnyvale Farms brand Black Forest Ham, 9-oz. vacuum-sealed packages
Reason for Alert	Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Identifying Marks	“Use by” date of AUG 25, 2025; Lot Code: 1345SF; Est. Number “EST. 5811”
Consumer Action	Do not consume. Discard the product or return it to the place of purchase.

Scope of the USDA Health Alert

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the alert on Tuesday, specifying that it applies to 9-ounce vacuum-sealed packages of “Sunnyvale Farms Sliced Black Forest Ham” produced by Sunnyvale Meats Inc., a Michigan-based establishment. The potentially affected ready-to-eat ham products were shipped to retail locations nationwide. According to the FSIS public health alert, consumers can identify the product by looking for the lot code “1345SF” and a “Use by” date of August 25, 2025. The packages also bear the establishment number “EST. 5811” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

FSIS issued a health alert instead of a formal recall because the agency believes the products are no longer being sold in stores. The primary concern is that consumers may have purchased the ham and stored it at home. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS product testing, which indicated the presence of the pathogen.

Understanding Listeria Contamination and its Risks

This public health alert highlights a significant food safety concern involving Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause a serious infection known as listeriosis. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria can grow and spread at refrigerated temperatures, making it a persistent threat in ready-to-eat foods that are not cooked before consumption.

Symptoms and At-Risk Groups

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis can cause a range of symptoms. Healthy individuals may experience short-term issues such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, the infection is particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations. “Listeriosis can be a severe, life-threatening illness for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women,” said Dr. David M. Aronoff, a professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University.

The CDC warns that pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other healthy adults to get a Listeria infection. An infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn baby.

What Consumers Should Do

FSIS and public health officials are urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the affected ready-to-eat ham products. Anyone who has purchased the specified product is advised not to consume it. The ham should be thrown away immediately or returned to the store where it was purchased. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

“Even though there isn’t a Class I recall in effect, this alert should be taken very seriously by the public,” stated Dr. Sarah Kiley, a food safety consultant. “The risk of Listeria contamination is significant, especially for at-risk individuals. The ‘throw it out’ message from FSIS is the most important takeaway for every household.”

FSIS advises that all surfaces, such as cutting boards and countertops, as well as utensils that may have touched the affected product, should be thoroughly washed and sanitized. Listeria can spread to other foods and surfaces, posing a risk of cross-contamination. The agency is continuing its investigation and will provide updates if more information becomes available. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

The Health Effects of Peanut Butter: What Experts Say About Daily Consumption