Costco recalls frozen meals over possible listeria threat

Costco Wholesale Corp., the largest U.S. warehouse-store chain, is voluntarily recalling about 10,368 pounds of frozen chicken meals that may be contaminated with potentially fatal listeria germs, according to the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The meals were produced Oct. 18 and sent to stores in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The agency said the problem was discovered during microbiological sampling.

The recall involves the four-pack of 12-ounce packages of "Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice," according to the agency. Each package has the Canadian establishment number "Est. 302" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection and a "Best By" date of Dec. 12, 2008.

The meals may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause listeriosis, an illness whose symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea, according to the agency. No reports of illness have been linked to this product, the agency said.