Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases
Lysteria: Nationwide meat recall announced
By the CNN Wire Staff
August 24, 2010 9:33 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* NEW: Wal-Mart says products immediately were pulled from shelves
* The recalled meat products were sold at Wal-Marts nationwide
* The meat products were produced from mid-June through early July
* Listeriosis is an uncommon, but potentially fatal disease
(CNN) -- Zemco Industries in Buffalo, New York, has recalled
approximately 380,000 pounds of deli meat that may be contaminated with
bacteria that can cause a potentially fatal disease, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture announced Monday.
The products were distributed to Wal-Marts nationwide, according to the
USDA's website.
The meats may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which was
discovered in a retail sample collected by inspectors in Georgia. The
USDA has received no reports of illnesses associated with the meats.
Upon learning of the voluntary recall, Wal-Mart immediately told its
stores to remove the meat from their shelves, the company said in a
statement.
Video: Is our food safe to eat?
"Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause
listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease," according to
the USDA. "Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However,
listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and
nausea.
"Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as
serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune
systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or
undergoing chemotherapy," the USDA said.
The products subject to recall are:
-- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST
HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number
17800 1300.
-- 28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM,
HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17803 1300.
-- 32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA
BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON,
SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17804 1300.
-- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST
BEEF Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17805 1300.
The meats were produced on dates ranging from June 18 to July 2, 2010.
The "Use By" dates range from August 20 to September 10, 2010.
Wal-Mart noted the recall involves Marketside Grab and Go sandwiches,
but not individual packages of deli meat. "We encourage customers who
recently purchased this item to return it for a full refund," the
company statement said.
CNN's Ashley Hayes contributed to this report.