The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry of Japan recalled a large shipment of United States processed meats after the agency learned that the shipment might be contaminated with Listeria, a bacteria that causes listeriosis. Although listeriosis cases are rare, they can be fatal. Listeriosis is characterized by high fever, stiff neck, nausea, and headaches. After learning of the contamination, the Phoenix, Arizona-based producer, Bar-S Foods Co., voluntarily recalled over 14.5 million pounds of meat produced in its Clinton, Oklahoma plant.

The meat items had been distributed to stores in the United States, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the South Pacific. The products in question were labeled with the brand names Bar-S, Bar-S Extra Lean, Coronado, Chuck Wagon, E-Z Carve and Thrifty. According to the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service, the recall included whole hams, corn dogs, hot dogs, sausages, and luncheon meats. The product codes include "EST 471" and "EST P-471," located inside the USDA seal of inspection. It is believed that the potentially contaminated products had been produced before March 20, 2001. No illnesses related to the recalled products have been reported to date.