City Foods Recalls Pastrami and Corned Beef Over Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON (August 8, 2026). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that City Foods, Inc. is recalling approximately 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products.

According to FSIS, the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. So far, the agency has reported no confirmed illnesses associated with the recalled products.

City Foods recall: quick summary

City Foods is recalling three ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products produced July 16, 2026. Notably, FSIS discovered the issue during routine inspection activities.

Additionally, the products bear establishment number EST. 1896 and reached foodservice locations in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan before further nationwide distribution. As a result, consumers and institutions should not eat the affected products.

What happened?

According to FSIS, City Foods recalled approximately 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Specifically, the products were produced July 16, 2026, and have a 60-day shelf life. Notably, FSIS discovered the problem during routine inspection activities.

Additionally, the affected products bear establishment number EST. 1896 inside the USDA mark of inspection. They reached foodservice locations in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan before further nationwide distribution.

Meanwhile, FSIS expressed concern that some products could remain in consumer and institution refrigerators or freezers. Therefore, the agency urged purchasers not to consume the products.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Package	Case code	Issue
Midamar	Premium Beef Pastrami	10 lb. boxes containing 2 to 5 lb. pieces	19410	Possible Listeria contamination
Bea’s Best	Cooked Corned Beef Brisket	Various weight 20 to 30 lb. boxes containing 2 to 3 pieces	18919	Possible Listeria contamination
Kirsch	Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket	Various weight 20 to 30 lb. boxes containing 2 to 3 pieces	19751	Possible Listeria contamination

What caused the issue?

According to the FSIS notice, the recalled products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause the serious infection listeriosis.

In particular, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns face greater risks from the infection. Additionally, symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion, stiff neck, loss of balance, and convulsions.

For pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, or serious infection of their newborns. So far, FSIS has reported no confirmed illnesses associated with the products.

Nevertheless, people in higher risk groups who develop symptoms within two months of eating potentially contaminated food should seek medical attention.

Food safety insight

“For ready to eat meat products, controlling Listeria requires close attention to what happens after the cooking step,” said Divina Grace Barroso, Head of FSQA at Source86.

“Food contact surfaces, equipment, handling practices, and processing areas can all become important control points. FSQA teams should regularly assess these areas and investigate conditions that could allow Listeria to persist or reappear.”

Here’s what you should do

Consumers and institutions with the recalled products should:

• Do not eat or serve the affected pastrami or corned beef products.
• Look for establishment number EST. 1896 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• Check the product name and case codes 19410, 18919, or 19751.
• Throw the recalled product away or return it to the place of purchase.
• Check refrigerators and freezers where products purchased for later use may remain stored.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms or have concerns after consuming an affected product.

Consumer contact

• Contact: Brian Sanchez, Office Manager, City Foods, Inc.
• Phone: 773 523 1566
• Email: [email protected]

Behind the brand

City Foods is a Chicago meat manufacturer founded in 1939 by Eugene L. Kohn. Over time, the company expanded into corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, and other cooked deli meats.

Later, Bea’s Best raw corned beef production began after Nathan Levine joined City Foods in 1985. By 1990, the company had expanded its cooked deli meat operations.

Today, City Foods operates from its processing facility on South Racine Avenue in Chicago and supplies retailers and wholesalers in domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, Source86 reached out to City Foods for comment on the possible contamination but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

Other recent Source86 coverage highlights contamination risks affecting ingredients, produce, and other food products:

• Taylor Fresh Foods Recalls Jalapeño Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
• Food To Live Recalls Green Powder Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
• Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter Recall Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
• Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Recalls Baked Spaghetti, Chicken Cobbler, and Bread Pudding Products Over Possible Aluminum Fragments

Regulatory context

FSIS oversees the safety of meat, poultry, and certain egg products in the United States. Through these efforts, its inspection activities can identify potential food safety problems before illnesses are reported.

In particular, ready-to-eat foods require careful controls because consumers may eat them without additional cooking. Therefore, sanitation, environmental monitoring, traceability, and rapid recall procedures can play important roles in controlling potential hazards.

In this case, FSIS discovered the possible Listeria issue during routine inspection activities. Ultimately, the recall illustrates how regulatory oversight can identify potential risks before illnesses are confirmed.

Ensuring safe eats

Ultimately, the City Foods recall highlights the importance of controlling Listeria risks throughout ready-to-eat food production. In particular, strong sanitation programs and environmental monitoring can help manufacturers identify potential hazards earlier.

Meanwhile, consumers and institutions should check stored pastrami and corned beef products and avoid eating recalled items. Additionally, affected products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

Sliced deli meats are exposed to Listeria after cooking, during slicing and packing, so Source86 reviews post-lethality controls when qualifying deli meat suppliers. Sourcing sliced deli meats? Contact our FSQA team.