Bento Meals from 7-Eleven Stores in Hawaii Recalled

By Wendy Osher

7-Eleven Hawaii, photo by Wendy Osher.

An estimated 1,550 pounds of convenience meals distributed to 7-Eleven stores in Hawai’i are being recalled.  The recall from Warabeya U.S.A., Inc., a Honolulu firm, is for specified products produced on June 28, 2011.  The items are being recalled for possible Listeria contamination.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease characterized by high fever, severe headache, nausea and neck stiffness.   The USDA notes that listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems

Items included in the recall are listed below, with each containing a best eaten date and time of 6/30/11 11:30 a.m.  The packages also have “EST.12444 or P-12444” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

• “10.3-ounce packages of “7-ELEVEN FRIED CHICKEN BENTO”
• “11-ounce packages of “7-ELEVEN TERIYAKI CHICKEN BENTO”
• “10-ounce packages of “7-ELEVEN BREAKFAST SCRAMBLE BOWL”
• “17.75-ounce packages of “7-ELEVEN BIG BENTO”
• “7.25-ounce packages of “7-ELEVEN LITTLE SMOKIES SNACK PACK”

The problem was discovered as a result of microbiological testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  A notification indicates contamination may have occurred as a result of the products becoming cross-contaminated through contact with a food scale pan.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company’s Administrative Division Manager, Monette Lastino at (808) 836-4742.

Consumers with food safety questions can contact the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).