22,000 Pounds of Meat Recalled in the United States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDA are saying more than 22,000 pounds of chicken, ham, and beef, are being recalled because of a possible Listeria contamination. The possibly contaminated products were sent to New York, 26 other states, and Canada. The recall affects a total of 109,000 cases of refrigerated ready-to-eat products.
“The problem was discovered through microbiological testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” the USDA said in a press release. “A traceback investigation and follow-up testing by FDA at the facility determined there was potential cross contamination of products with Listeria monocytogenes from product contact surfaces. FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.”
Listeria Monocytogenes may cause Listerosis. Listeroisis affects older adults, pregnant women, infants, and adults with weaker immune systems. Anyone suffering from the bacterial infection will feel flu-like symptoms of muscle ache, fever, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. It can also cause headache, confusion, and at its worst, convulsions.
Thankfully both the USDA and FDA have reported no illnesses. All of the recalled chicken, ham, salad, barbecue beans with beef, and potato salad with bacon, bear the establishment number EST. 13520 or P-13520 inside the USDA mark of inspection. According to the FDA the packages are marked with a use-by or best buy date and followed with a plant identifier of 20. If you have purchased any of these recalled items then you can take the items back for a refund or discard them.
If any questions arise, the Reser’s Fine Foods Consumer Hotline is urging you to call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 1-888-257-7913. The full list of recalled food can be found here on the FDA’s website.