A recall has been issued on almost half a million pounds of meat by Louisiana-based meat packing company Manda Fine Meats, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The FSIS was alerted to the possibility of contaminated meat on April 5, when the Tennessee Department of Agriculture found the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes in roast beef. The Listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, a rare but very dangerous, possibly fatal, disease. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the meat at this time.
Manda Fine Meats issued a statement on April 13, saying they would be recalling all deli meat products produced between February 27 and April 9, at Manda's Baker Establishment. These items are labeled with sell-by dates between May 13, 2013 and July 2, 2013.
They include:
* Roast Beef
* Ham
* Turkey Breast
* Tasso Pork
* Ham Shanks
* Hog Head Cheese
* Corned Beef
* Pastrami
In all, the recall includes 468,000 pounds of meat sold in retail locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The FSIS has a complete list of all specific products and brands available on their web site.
"We are committed to work with USDA in reviewing and enhancing our food safety system so we can continue to ensure that our products are safe," said Josh Yarborough, the director of quality assurance for Manda Fine Foods.
A healthy person is unlikely to develop listeriosis even after coming into contact with the bacteria. Those most at risk include the elderly, infants and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, headaches, neck stiffness and nausea. It is important to consult a health professional if you experience any of the symptoms.
In 2011, 30 people died from listeriosos, in an outbreak the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the worst foodborne illness outbreak on record.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
