What was recalled
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a significant public health alert concerning a specific food product distributed in the Pacific Northwest. This alert focuses on "Curry Chicken Salad" manufactured by Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc. The core issue is not that the product was recalled in the traditional sense of being pulled from shelves because it was still selling, but rather that it has been identified as potentially unsafe for consumption due to a biological hazard. The company confirmed that these products are no longer available for purchase at retail locations, which is why a formal recall request was not submitted by the manufacturer. However, the FSIS remains concerned that some of these packages may still be sitting in consumers' refrigerators or pantries, posing a silent risk to anyone who might unknowingly eat them.
To help you determine if you have this specific item on hand, it is crucial to look for very precise details on your packaging. The affected product is an 8-ounce plastic package containing portions of the curry chicken salad. You should check the back label carefully for a "USE BY" date of 07/30/2026. This expiration date is a primary identifier, but it must be paired with other specific markers to confirm you have the right product. Inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package, you will find the establishment number "P-39928." This code is critical because it identifies the specific facility where the chicken salad was produced. If your package lacks this number or has a different expiration date, it is not part of this alert.
The timeline of these products is also important to understand. The Curry Chicken Salad items subject to this public health alert were produced on July 22, 2026. Given the short shelf life indicated by the use-by date just eight days later, these items had a very narrow window for distribution and consumption. The products were shipped specifically to retail locations in Oregon and Washington. If you did not purchase chicken salad from stores in these two states around late July or early August 2026, it is highly unlikely you have this product. The problem was discovered during routine establishment testing by the manufacturer, which highlights how proactive safety measures can catch issues before widespread illness occurs. Although there are currently no confirmed reports of illness linked to these products, the potential for serious health consequences means that verification is essential.
If you find a package matching all these criteria—the 8-ounce size, the specific use-by date, the P-39928 code, and the Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods branding—you should treat it as contaminated. The FSIS urges consumers not to consume any product that matches this description. It is better to be cautious and discard the item than to risk exposure to Listeria monocytogenes. For those who need to verify details or have questions about the alert, Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods has provided direct contact information, including Ernie Spada Jr., Sr. Vice President/Owner, who can be reached at (503)-288-8300 or via email at eiii@mlffv.com. This direct line of communication is available for media and consumers alike to ensure clarity and safety.
The hazard, explained
When the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issues a public health alert regarding Listeria monocytogenes, or Lm, they are highlighting a specific type of biological risk that behaves quite differently from many other foodborne pathogens. Unlike bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, which typically require warm temperatures to multiply rapidly and are often killed by cooking, Listeria is uniquely persistent and resilient. It is a "psychrotroph," meaning it can grow and spread even in cold environments like your refrigerator. This characteristic makes it particularly concerning in ready-to-eat foods like the Curry Chicken Salad produced by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, where the product is consumed without further cooking to kill potential contaminants.
The physical mechanism of harm begins with ingestion. When food is contaminated during processing or packaging, Listeria bacteria are present on the surface or within the product. Because this specific alert involves a pre-packaged salad that consumers do not heat before eating, the bacteria survive intact. Once ingested, the bacteria must survive the acidic environment of the stomach to reach the intestines. If they succeed, they use specialized proteins to penetrate the intestinal lining and enter the bloodstream. This process is known as invasive listeriosis. It is not merely a case of food poisoning where toxins cause immediate upset; it is an infection that allows the bacteria to travel through the body.
Once in the bloodstream, Listeria can spread to various organs, including the brain and spinal cord, causing severe neurological symptoms such as stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The severity of the outcome depends heavily on the individual’s immune system. For healthy individuals, the body may fight off the infection with mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal distress. However, for older adults and those with weakened immune systems, the body’s defenses are less effective, allowing the bacteria to multiply unchecked and cause serious, sometimes fatal, systemic infections.
Pregnant women face a distinct physiological risk. While they may experience only mild fever or fatigue, the bacteria can cross the placental barrier. This can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. The alert notes that while no illnesses have been confirmed yet, the potential for this invasive spread is why FSIS considers it a serious public health concern. The bacteria are treated with antibiotics, but prevention through avoiding consumption is the only reliable safeguard when products are already contaminated.
In summary, the danger lies not in how the food looks or smells—Listeria does not alter the taste, odor, or appearance of food—but in its ability to thrive in cold, ready-to-eat environments and invade the body’s tissues. This is why the FSIS urges consumers to discard the product immediately, even if it was purchased recently, as the risk persists until the contaminated items are removed from your home.
Who is most at risk
When dealing with a public health alert involving Listeria monocytogenes, understanding who is most vulnerable is critical because the bacteria does not affect every person equally. While anyone can technically consume contaminated food, the severity of the resulting illness, known as listeriosis, varies drastically depending on an individual’s immune system status. The USDA FSIS and medical experts consistently identify specific groups as being at significantly higher risk for serious, invasive infection.
The primary groups at elevated risk include older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women along with their newborns. For these populations, listeriosis is not merely a stomach bug; it can become a life-threatening systemic infection. The bacteria have a unique ability to survive in cold environments, such as refrigerators, which allows them to persist in ready-to-eat foods like the Curry Chicken Salad involved in this alert. When someone with a robust immune system eats contaminated food, their body often fights off the bacteria before it causes serious harm. However, for those in high-risk categories, the defense mechanisms are less effective.
Pregnant women face a particularly complex risk profile. While pregnant individuals themselves may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches, the infection poses a severe threat to the developing baby. Listeria can cross the placental barrier, potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in the newborn. This is why public health officials emphasize that even seemingly minor symptoms in a pregnant woman should be taken seriously and reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
Older adults and people with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing cancer treatment, living with HIV/AIDS, or taking immunosuppressive medications—are also at high risk. In these cases, the infection can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and other parts of the body, including the brain. This invasive phase can cause confusion, loss of balance, stiff neck, and convulsions. Because the immune system cannot contain the bacteria effectively, the illness progresses more rapidly and severely than in healthy individuals.
While less common, it is important to note that persons outside these high-risk groups can still be affected. If you are in a high-risk category and have consumed product from Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, monitor your health closely for two months after consumption. If you experience fever, muscle aches, or gastrointestinal symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away and explicitly mention your potential exposure to the recalled Curry Chicken Salad. Early medical intervention is crucial for treating listeriosis with antibiotics and preventing severe complications.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you recently shopped in Oregon or Washington, there is a chance you may have Curry Chicken Salad from Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods sitting in your refrigerator right now. Because this product was distributed through retail locations rather than sold exclusively online or in specific chains, it is crucial to inspect your food storage areas carefully. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for this specific item due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Since the products are no longer available for purchase at stores, you cannot rely on current shelf stock; you must check what you have already bought.
To confirm whether your chicken salad is part of this alert, you need to look for several very specific details on the packaging. First, identify the brand name "Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods" and the product description "CURRY CHICKEN SALAD." The item comes in 8-ounce plastic packages. This size is a key identifier, as larger or smaller containers of the same brand would not be subject to this specific alert. You should hold the package up and look at the back label, where the expiration information is printed. It is vital that you check for a "USE BY" date of exactly 07/30/2026. Products with different dates are not part of this recall.
Another critical detail to verify is the USDA establishment number. Look inside the purple circle or shield-shaped mark of inspection on the package. You are looking for the code "P-39928." If this number is present, it confirms that the product was produced by Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc., on July 22, 2026. The combination of the 8-oz size, the specific use-by date, and the P-39928 code is what definitively identifies the recalled items. If you see a different establishment number or a different expiration date, your product is safe from this particular alert.
If you cannot find the package in your home refrigerator or pantry, consider whether you recently traveled through or live in Oregon or Washington, as these were the states where the products were shipped to retail locations. If you have purchased curry chicken salad from any store in those regions around late July 2026, it is worth taking the time to check your labels. When in doubt, remember that the safest approach is to verify the codes rather than guessing based on brand name alone.
What to do — step by step
Because the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a Public Health Alert rather than requesting a formal recall, the immediate steps you need to take are focused on preventing exposure rather than processing a return through a standard retail logistics chain. Since the products are no longer available for purchase at retail locations, you cannot simply walk back into a store to exchange them. Instead, your priority must be ensuring that this specific product does not enter your body or remain in your home environment where it could contaminate other foods.
Step 1: Stop and Secure the Product
If you purchased Curry Chicken Salad from Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods between July 22, 2026, and its use-by date of July 30, 2026, stop using it immediately. Do not taste the product to check if it is spoiled; Listeria monocytogenes does not change the smell, taste, or appearance of food. If you have the 8-oz. plastic packages in your refrigerator or freezer, leave them sealed in their original packaging for now. This helps contain any potential bacterial spread. Do not open the package to dispose of it loosely in your trash, as this could risk cross-contamination on surfaces or with other items.
Step 2: Dispose of the Product Safely
The recommended remedy for consumers who have these products is to throw them away. To do this safely, place the sealed package into a plastic trash bag, tie it securely, and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage bin if possible. This ensures that no one, including sanitation workers or family members who might handle the trash, comes into contact with the contaminated item. Alternatively, if you are uncomfortable discarding it yourself, you may choose to return it to the place of purchase. However, because the alert states these items are no longer available for purchase, stores may not have a standard return protocol for this specific lot. In such cases, disposal is the most reliable action.
Step 3: Clean Your Storage Areas
Once the product is removed, thoroughly clean the area where it was stored. Wipe down shelves in your refrigerator or freezer with hot, soapy water or a household disinfectant. Listeria can survive in cold environments and may leave behind residues that could contaminate other foods like deli meats, cheeses, or ready-to-eat snacks. Pay special attention to corners and crevices where the package might have sat.
Step 4: Monitor for Symptoms (If Applicable)
While there have been no confirmed reports of illness from this specific batch, you should be vigilant if you are in a high-risk group—such as being pregnant, over 65, or having a weakened immune system. If you consumed any of this salad and experience fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions within two months, contact your health care provider immediately. Be sure to tell them about the specific product consumption so they can test for listeriosis appropriately.
Step 5: Contact Manufacturers or Authorities for Questions
If you have questions about the safety of the product or need further guidance, you can contact Ernie Spada Jr., Sr. Vice President/Owner of Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc., at (503)-288-8300 or via email at eiii@mlffv.com. For broader food safety questions, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or visit https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/ to report concerns.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
When you encounter a product subject to a public health alert like the one issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), your immediate priority must be safety, but your next logical step is resolving the financial aspect of the purchase. In this specific case involving Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, the remedy provided is straightforward: you are entitled to a refund or a return. It is important to understand that because this is classified as a Public Health Alert rather than a formal recall initiated by the company, the logistics of getting your money back may feel slightly different than a standard retail return. However, the manufacturer has explicitly stated that these products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, which establishes the two primary paths for resolving your issue.
The first and often simplest option is to return the item directly to the retail location where you bought it. Since the recalled Curry Chicken Salad was shipped to specific retail locations in Oregon and Washington, if you made your purchase within those states, you should take the package back to the store. Most reputable grocery stores and retailers have protocols in place for handling products flagged by federal health agencies. They will typically accept the return without question once they see the FSIS alert or the product’s identification details. You do not need to jump through excessive hoops to prove your purchase; showing the item, along with your receipt if you have it (though often not strictly required for safety-related returns), is usually sufficient. The store should process a full refund to your original payment method.
If you cannot return the item to the store, or if the product has already been discarded due to safety concerns, your second option is to contact the manufacturer directly. Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc., has provided specific contact information for consumers with questions regarding this public health alert. You can reach Ernie Spada Jr., the Senior Vice President and Owner, by calling (503)-288-8300 or by sending an email to eiii@mlffv.com. When you contact them, clearly state that you purchased the recalled Curry Chicken Salad and wish to discuss refund options. While the alert primarily urges consumers to discard or return the product for safety reasons, the manufacturer is the entity responsible for the remedy. They may provide specific instructions on how to proceed if a direct store return is not possible, such as mailing in proof of purchase for a reimbursement.
It is crucial to note that there are no "replacements" or "repairs" available for this item because it is a perishable food product contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. You should never attempt to keep the product, cook it to kill the bacteria, or give it to someone else. The only valid remedies are financial: getting your money back through a store return or a direct claim with the manufacturer. If you encounter any resistance from a retailer or have difficulty reaching the manufacturer, you can also consult the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 for guidance on consumer rights in this situation.
What can happen if you ignore it
When a public health alert is issued for a food product like Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods’ Curry Chicken Salad, the urgency often feels abstract until you understand the specific biological mechanism at play. The core issue here is not merely that the food tastes bad or looks off; it is that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, Listeria is uniquely dangerous because it does not rely on the food being "spoiled" to remain viable. It can grow at refrigeration temperatures, meaning a container sitting in your fridge for days after its use-by date—or even before it—can harbor high levels of bacteria without any visible signs of decay. If you choose to ignore this alert and consume the product, you are essentially rolling the dice with a pathogen that is notoriously resilient and difficult for the body to fight off once it has taken hold.
The consequences of ignoring this warning manifest as listeriosis, a serious infection that goes far beyond the typical stomach upset associated with less severe foodborne illnesses. For healthy adults who might consider themselves low-risk, the outcome can still be significant, though it is important to note that FSIS has not reported any confirmed cases of illness from this specific batch yet. However, the potential for individual harm exists because Listeria does not just stay in the gut. Once ingested, the bacteria can invade the intestinal lining and spread into the bloodstream and other parts of the body. This systemic invasion is what transforms a simple meal into a medical emergency. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Often, these severe neurological symptoms are preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal distress, which many people mistakenly dismiss as a minor bug.
The stakes are dramatically higher for vulnerable populations, which is why this alert is treated with such gravity. For pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, listeriosis can cause severe, invasive infections that are sometimes fatal. These groups require immediate medical intervention, typically involving antibiotics, but prevention is the only guaranteed safeguard. By ignoring the alert, you risk not only your own health but also the safety of those around you who may be more susceptible. The bacteria can also contaminate your kitchen environment; if you handle the product and then touch other foods or surfaces without rigorous cleaning, you create a secondary vector for transmission. There is no way to "cook out" the risk after the fact if you have already introduced the pathogen into your home’s ecosystem. Ultimately, continuing to use a product flagged for Listeria contamination turns a manageable consumer inconvenience into a potential public health crisis for your household.