Smoked Sausage Pulled From Shelves In 3 States Over Listeria Fears

LOUISIANA — A Louisiana-based smokehouse is recalling ready-to-eat smoked andouille sausage sold at grocery stores across three states due to a possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, federal officials announced Tuesday.

The recalled sausage, produced by Bourgeois Smokehouse in Thibodaux, was sold at Rouses Market locations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi starting May 13.

The affected product was weighed, wrapped, and labeled in-store at the time of purchase, and does not have a USDA inspection mark or establishment number.

Roughly 100 pounds of sausage are affected by the "class I, high risk" recall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The potential contamination was discovered during routine food testing, which returned a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes.

As of Tuesday, no illnesses have been reported, but food safety officials are urging anyone who bought the sausage to throw it away or return it to the store.

The agency also warned consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers in case the product is still being stored.

Listeria: Who’s Most At Risk?

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes that mainly affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues.

Pregnant women infected with Listeria can suffer miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature deliveries, according to FSIS.

Anyone in a high-risk group who experiences flu-like symptoms within two months of eating the sausage should seek medical attention and mention possible listeria exposure.