Introduction
If you recently bought deli meat, checking your refrigerator is a smart move. A deli meat recall involving ready to eat meat products has raised concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The latest widely reported recall involves pastrami and corned beef products made by City Foods Inc. The affected products were produced on July 16, 2026, and more than 3,000 pounds of meat were involved.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, known as USDA FSIS, is responsible for regulating most meat and poultry products in the United States. In this case, the manufacturer initiated the recall after the contamination concern was identified. The products were initially distributed in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, with distribution later expanding nationwide.
Here is what you need to know before eating deli meat from your refrigerator.
What Is the Deli Meat Recall?
The current recall involves ready to eat deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
City Foods Inc., a Chicago based meat manufacturer, recalled approximately 3,215 pounds of affected products. The meat was produced on July 16, 2026 and has a reported shelf life of about 60 days.
The affected products include:
- Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami
- Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket
- Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket
The products were initially distributed in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. Later reports indicated that the affected products had been shipped more broadly across the country.
No illnesses had been reported in connection with these products at the time of the reports reviewed for this article. Still, consumers should take the warning seriously because Listeria can cause severe illness in certain people.
Which Deli Meats Have Been Recalled?
The affected products are primarily pastrami and cooked corned beef.
If you purchased deli meat recently, look closely at the product name, brand, packaging information, and recall identification information.
The reported recalled products include:
Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami
The Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami product is associated with recall code 19410. It was among the ready to eat meats produced by City Foods Inc. that were identified in the recall.
Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket
Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket is another affected product. Its reported recall code is 18919.
Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket
The third reported product is Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket. Its reported recall code is 19751.
Because deli meat can be stored in refrigerators for weeks, it is important to check products even if you bought them some time ago. hairwaver
What Brands Are Affected by the Recall?
Several brand names appear in the affected product list.
The reported brands include: source: Jackson Health System
- Midamar
- Bea’s Best
- Kirsch
The manufacturer associated with these products is City Foods Inc., a Chicago based meat company.
It is important to understand that a brand name alone does not always mean every product from that brand is affected. Recall notices usually apply to specific products, production dates, lot information, or recall codes.
So, do not throw away every deli product you own simply because the brand appears in a recall story. Check the specific product information carefully.
Why Was the Deli Meat Recalled?
The main concern is Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can survive and grow in refrigerated foods. That makes ready to eat deli meats particularly important from a food safety perspective.
A person can become infected after eating food contaminated with Listeria. Some infections may cause mild symptoms, while serious cases can lead to hospitalization.
The risk is especially concerning for: hairwaver
- Pregnant women
- Adults age 65 and older
- People with weakened immune systems
- Newborn babies
Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe infection in a newborn.
For healthy adults, illness can still occur. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea, or diarrhea.
Is the Recalled Deli Meat Safe to Eat?
No. You should not eat any deli meat that matches the recalled product information.
Even if the meat looks normal and smells fresh, you cannot reliably determine whether it contains Listeria by looking at it.
If you discover affected meat in your refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Do not taste the product.
- Do not serve it to anyone.
- Place it in a sealed bag before disposal.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling it.
- Clean surfaces that may have touched the meat.
- Clean your refrigerator area if the product leaked or touched other foods.
- Check other deli foods for possible cross contamination.
If you already ate the affected meat, do not automatically assume you will become sick. However, pay attention to symptoms and speak with a healthcare professional if you develop concerning symptoms.
What Should You Do If You Have Recalled Deli Meat?
The safest approach is simple. hairwaver
Do not eat it.
You should identify the product and compare its information with the recall details. If it matches, discard it or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for returning the product.
This is especially important if the meat was purchased for sandwiches, lunches, parties, or meal preparation.
You should also avoid giving the product to another person. Passing recalled food to someone else could expose them to the same contamination risk.
USDA FSIS and FDA: Who Handles Deli Meat Recalls?
You may see both the USDA FSIS and the FDA mentioned in food recall coverage, but they regulate different categories of food.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service oversees most meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
The FDA oversees many other foods, including seafood, produce, dairy products, and packaged foods that fall outside USDA jurisdiction.
For meat products such as pastrami and corned beef, USDA FSIS is generally the key federal food safety agency.
For example, USDA FSIS also issued a public health alert in May 2026 involving Daisy Brand Meat Products Headcheese made by Crawford Sausage Co. That separate alert involved possible Listeria contamination and products distributed in Illinois and Indiana.
That headcheese alert was not the same event as the City Foods recall. FSIS said the headcheese was no longer available for purchase, so a formal recall was not requested. Later testing found the outbreak strain of Listeria in headcheese samples produced by Crawford Sausage Co.
What Does Listeria Mean for Deli Meat?
Listeria deserves extra attention with ready to eat deli foods.
Unlike some bacteria, Listeria can continue growing at refrigerator temperatures. This means refrigeration does not automatically make contaminated deli meat safe.
Cooking can kill Listeria, but you should not try to make recalled meat safe by cooking it. Once a product has been recalled, the safest choice is to discard it according to the recall instructions.
This is one reason food safety agencies take contamination reports seriously.
How to Check Your Refrigerator
Take a few minutes to inspect your deli meat. source: Facebook · WSYX ABC 6
Look for:
- Brand name
- Product name
- Package information
- Production information
- Recall code
- Use by date
- Manufacturer information
Do not rely only on appearance. Recalled deli meat may look completely normal.
If you buy sliced meat from a retail deli counter, identifying information can sometimes be harder to find. Keep receipts and packaging when possible. This can make it easier to identify a recalled product later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current deli meat recall?
A reported recall involves approximately 3,215 pounds of ready to eat pastrami and corned beef products made by City Foods Inc. because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Which deli meats are affected?
The reported affected products include Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami, Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket, and Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket.
What brands are involved?
The reported brands are Midamar, Bea’s Best, and Kirsch.
Why was the meat recalled?
The products were recalled because of a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination concern.
Is recalled deli meat safe to eat?
No. You should not eat any product that matches the affected recall information.
What should I do with recalled deli meat?
Do not eat it. Seal it securely and dispose of it or follow the manufacturer’s return instructions.
Can Listeria grow in the refrigerator?
Yes. Listeria can survive and grow at refrigerator temperatures, which is one reason ready to eat deli foods require careful handling.
Who regulates deli meat recalls?
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service regulates most meat and poultry products in the United States.
Should pregnant women be especially careful?
Yes. Pregnant women face a higher risk of serious complications from Listeria infection, so avoiding recalled ready to eat meat is especially important.
What if I already ate recalled deli meat?
Do not panic. Watch for symptoms and contact a healthcare professional if you become ill or have concerns, particularly if you are in a higher risk group.
Conclusion
The deli meat recall is a reminder that ready to eat meat can carry food safety risks even when it looks and smells normal. The reported City Foods Inc. recall affects specific pastrami and corned beef products connected to a potential Listeria monocytogenes concern.
Check your refrigerator carefully and compare your products with the affected product information. If you find a matching product, do not eat it. Dispose of it safely and clean any surfaces that may have contacted the meat.
Food recalls can change as investigations continue. If you regularly buy deli meat, checking official food safety announcements is a simple habit that can help protect you and your family.
Author Bio: Awais khan The author writes reader focused food safety and consumer information articles, helping readers understand recalls, health concerns, and everyday safety alerts in simple language.
email: johanharwen@314gmail.com
Author Name: Awais khan
