Listeria Hazard

A Denver, Colorado company, Custom Corned Beef, Inc., has recalled some 460 pounds of fully-cooked crumbled pork sausage products that they believe may have become contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall has been designated as Class 1, which signifies the product poses a health hazard that could bring about serious damage to health or even death.

The company has recalled ten-pound boxes each containing 2 five-pound packs marked, "POLIDORI, FULLY COOKED PORK SAUSAGE CRUMBLES, KEEP REFRIGERATED/FROZEN." The labels of each box contain the number "EST. 4121" inside the USDA's inspection mark. The pork products were manufactured April 9, 2010 and were subsequently distributed to various institutional facilities in Colorado.

No Illness Yet

The FSIS said it became aware of the problem when a federal concern received testing for Listeria monocytogenes through their offices. The institution hired a laboratory to test some unopened product which tested positive for Listeria after which the federal establishment notified the FSIS. The FSIS has not yet had any reports of illness associated with the consumption of the product. The FSIS holds routine recall effectiveness verifications to make sure those firms forced to hold recalls have told their customers about the steps they have taken to remove their products from consumer reach.

Listeriosis is a disease that develops when someone eats food contaminated with the Listeria pathogen. The disease is serious and can even be fatal. Those most susceptible are youngsters, seniors, and those who are in frail health or who have weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer for a short time from symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, stiffness, severe headache, and high fever. Pregnant women may miscarry, have a stillbirth, or give birth to a baby infected with listeriosis.

Pregnant Women

The rate of infection in pregnant women is 20 times that of other populations. One-third of all cases of listeriosis occur during pregnancy. The disease can kill unborn fetuses, bring on premature delivery, and may even lead to deafness or brain damage in infants. Adults may suffer neurological complications or even cardiac or respiratory failure. Every year, 2,500 U.S. citizens are infected with Listeria monocytogenes and 500 will die of the infection.

The FSIS has a virtual representative who is available 24 hours each day. Consumers can ask food safety questions to AskKaren.gov. There is also a toll-free (English or Spanish) USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). You can call from 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. EST, Monday through Friday.

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