More than 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products have been recalled over concerns about possible listeria contamination.

Two U.S.-based companies are recalling a total of about 1,513 pounds of dry-cured pork jowl products, also known as guanciale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Sunday. Guanciale is a cured meat derived from pork jowl or cheek that is a traditional ingredient in Roman pasta dishes such as spaghetti alla carbonara and amatriciana, and ready-to-eat cured products are typically consumed without further cooking, which means there is no heat step that would kill the pathogen.

The action is classified as a Class I recall, the USDA's most serious classification, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Florida-based Prime Line Distributors, Inc. and New Jersey-based Ferrarini USA, Inc. each recalled two products over fears they "may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)," FSIS said in its announcement.

Prime Line Distributors recalled various-weight cardboard cases of two individually vacuum-packed "Prime Line Distributors, Inc. Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy" items, as well as various-weight individually vacuum-packaged "Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy" items.

Ferrarini USA recalled various-weight cardboard cases containing two pieces of individually vacuum-packed "Guanciale Pork Jowl Product of Italy" and various-weight individually vacuum-packed "Ferrarini Guanciale Dry-Cured Pork Jowl" products.

All of the recalled products bear a "best if used by" date of May 16, 2027, and lot number 263311US printed on the label. The items also carry the establishment number IT 1937 L CE, printed inside the Italian mark of inspection or on the case label.

The affected products were produced on May 21 at Est. 1937L Bome SRL in Italy and imported into the U.S. in July. The Prime Line Distributors items were sent to food service and retail companies in Florida, while the Ferrarini USA products were shipped to distributors and food service locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Because the products carry a shelf life extending to 2027, FSIS has warned that some may remain in commerce or storage well after the recall announcement.

The contamination came to light during routine import reinspection testing, when a product sample confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Imported foods entering the United States are subject to reinspection by FSIS at ports of entry, and listeria recalls involving ready-to-eat meats are a recurring food safety concern; Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures, which is why the agency urges retailers and food service operators to check refrigerators and freezers for affected items.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Serious and sometimes fatal infections can also occur in older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

FSIS advised that people in higher-risk groups who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating the contaminated items should seek medical attention. There have been no confirmed reports of illness in connection with the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness is urged to contact a healthcare provider.

"FSIS is concerned that some products may be in food service and retail refrigerators and freezers. Food service and retail locations are urged not to serve or sell these products," the agency said.

Food items affected by the recall should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.