The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has expanded a recall to more than 2 million pounds, with an expanded list of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A wide variety of products under many brands are implicated.
Alexander & Hornung, of St. Clair Shores, MI, a business unit of Perdue Premium Meat Company Inc., already recalled 234,391 and has now expanded that to 2,320,774 pounds of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The problem was discovered when the company notified FSIS that product sampling reported positive Listeria monocytogenes results.
The FSIS admitted is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and urges consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
FSIS confirmed that the products were shipped to retail locations nationwide, however, they have yet to ascertain if any of the products had made it to international freezers.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
To view recalled products please click here.