Reser’s ham salad recall: quick summary
Reser’s Fine Foods Inc., based in Topeka, KS, has issued a recall of ham salad products sold under the Reser’s Fine Foods and Molly’s Kitchen brands due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The contamination risk stems from breadcrumbs used in the product that were themselves recalled under an FDA warning. The affected products were distributed to retailers and foodservice providers across the U.S. No confirmed illnesses have been reported as of July 28, 2025. Consumers should check packaging, discard recalled items, and clean any surfaces they touched. Keep reading for all the important recall details. On July 28, 2025, Albertsons Companies expanded the recall to include additional tuna salad items sold between July 23–29 due to the same Listeria risk. No illnesses have been reported.
Official recall details
Date Issued: July 27, 2025
Company Involved: Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. (Topeka, KS) & Albertsons Companies
Products Affected: Various tuna salad-based products
Issue: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Sell Thru Dates: July 16, 2025 – July 29, 2025
Distribution: Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb stores (AR, LA, OK, TX)
What to Do: Discard or return product; clean any contaminated surfaces
What happened?
The problem was discovered when Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. found they had used breadcrumbs recalled by the FDA due to possible Listeria contamination. The FSIS issued a public health alert rather than a full USDA recall, but the advisory still calls for consumers and retailers to act immediately. Following the original recall by Reser’s Fine Foods, Albertsons Companies issued a voluntary expansion on July 28, 2025. The updated recall includes additional tuna salad products with later sell-thru dates (July 23–29) across Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Affected product details
Brand (RM = Ready Meals) | Product Name | UPC | Size | Original Sell Thru Dates | Expanded Sell Thru Dates | Issue | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RM | Duo Tuna Salad w/ Crackers | 27183000000 | Each | Jul 17 – Jul 19, 2025 | Jul 24 – Jul 29, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
RM | Tuna Salad Premium SS | 21425000000 | Each | Jul 17 – Jul 19, 2025 | Jul 24 – Jul 29, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
RM | Snacker Tray Tuna Salad | 21151300000 | Each | Jul 17 – Jul 19, 2025 | Jul 24 – Jul 29, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
RM | Sandwich Tuna Salad Croissant SS Cold | 21788400000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
RM | Tuna Salad Over Bed of Lettuce SS | 21786400000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
— | Salad Tuna Premium | 21228800000 | Variable weight | Jul 17 – Jul 19, 2025 | Jul 24 – Jul 29, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
— | Tray Croissant Mini Salad 16 in. | 27841300000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
— | Tray Croissant Mini Salad 18 in. | 27841200000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
— | Tray Salad Sandwich 12 in. | 27841500000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
— | Tray Salad Sandwich 16 in. | 27841400000 | Each | Jul 16 – Jul 18, 2025 | Jul 23 – Jul 28, 2025 | Listeria contamination | Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb |
What caused the issue?
The contaminated breadcrumb ingredient, regulated by the FDA, triggered a broader chain-reaction alert. Although Reser’s products fall under USDA regulation, the use of an FDA-recalled component introduced the contamination risk.
Why Listeria is a serious concern
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous foodborne pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections—especially in high-risk populations. It’s not detectable by sight or smell and can survive cold storage.
Who’s at risk?
Listeria can impact anyone but poses the greatest risk to:
- Pregnant women
- Seniors
- Infants
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy or chronic treatments
Common symptoms of Listeria infection
- Nausea or vomiting
- Persistent fever
- Muscle aches
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- Flu-like symptoms (especially in pregnant individuals)
Listeria can lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or neonatal infection in pregnant women. Symptoms may appear up to 70 days after exposure.
Questions you might have
- Is it safe to eat this ham salad?
No. Do not consume it. It may be contaminated with Listeria. - Can Listeria contamination be seen or smelled?
No. There are no visual or olfactory signs. - What if I already ate the recalled product?
Monitor for symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if concerned. - I’m pregnant—what should I do?
Consult a doctor immediately if you think you consumed this product. - Where were these products sold?
Nationwide, including both retail and foodservice outlets. - What do I do with the recalled items?
Discard or return them. Clean storage areas thoroughly. - Can Listeria spread in my fridge?
Yes. Disinfect with hot, soapy water or a food-safe sanitizer. - Are these products still on shelves?
Possibly. FSIS is urging retailers to pull stock immediately. - Is this a formal USDA recall?
No, it is a public health alert, but it carries the same urgency. - What’s the best way to prevent Listeria?
Follow food safety practices, keep cold storage clean, and discard recalled products.
Here’s what you should do
- Check your fridge for any Reser’s or Molly’s Kitchen ham salad
- Check for any recalled tuna salad products sold between July 16 and July 29, 2025.
- Do not eat these products
- Return or discard them immediately
- Clean and disinfect any area that may have touched the product
- Monitor yourself and vulnerable family members for symptoms
- Contact a medical provider if symptoms appear
- Contact Reser’s Fine Foods
Behind the brand
Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. is a leading producer of refrigerated deli salads and side dishes based in Topeka, KS. This incident highlights the critical importance of ingredient sourcing and inter-agency recall communication when food safety is at risk.
Other recent recalls include:
- Albertsons recalls tuna salad products over Listeria contamination risk
- Jewel-Osco recalls tuna salad products over Listeria contamination risk
- Rich’s Ice Cream recalls frozen treats over Listeria contamination risk
- Reser’s Fine Foods recalls tuna salad products over Listeria contamination risk
- Paleteria La Providencia recalls popsicles over Listeria contamination risk
- LLK Trading recalls needle mushrooms over Listeria contamination risk
- Wiet Peeters recalls sliced mushrooms over Listeria contamination risk
- Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions recalls Member’s Mark freeze-dried fruit for Listeria risk
“This case underscores how a single contaminated ingredient can ripple through the supply chain. Brands must enhance traceability and source audits to avoid these risks.” Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86
Ensuring safe eats
Listeria alerts are a wake-up call to the foodservice industry: rigorous supplier verification, sanitation, and proactive monitoring are essential.
Need help sourcing safe ingredients or managing recall response? Contact Source86 today.
