Listeria forces spate of recalls in US
Reser’s Fine Foods, based in Kansas, Boston Salads and Provisions Company, Inc., in Massachusetts, Garden Fresh Foods, in Wisconsin and Taylor Farms in Maryland are at the heart of separate recalls.
Reser’s Fine Foods is expanding its recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between 5 September and 9 October, in addition to the 22,800 pounds of product recalled on 22 October.
The products are being recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, said the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS).
The problem was discovered through microbiological testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after products were distributed to retailers and distributors nationwide.
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.
RTE chicken salad identified
Boston Salads and Provisions Company, Inc., is recalling 222,959 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products due to Listeria monocytogenes, according to USDA-FSIS.
The products were produced between 23 August and 14 October and shipped to wholesalers for distribution to retail locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Case labels or packaging may bear the sell by dates ranging from “9/13/2013” through “11/4/2013” as well as the establishment number “P-17999” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Although product included in this recall may be expired, FSIS said it is concerned that some product may be frozen in consumer or retail freezers.
The problem was discovered when the New Hampshire Department of Public Health (NHDPH) determined that two non-intact samples tested positive for Listeria with matching PFGE patterns.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH) was alerted to these findings and tested intact samples of product, with two testing positive with matching PFGE patterns.
RTE chicken and ham suspected
Garden Fresh Foods, a Milwaukee company is recalling 103,080 additional pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, said USDA-FSIS.
It is in addition to the 25,748 pounds of similar products that were recalled on 25 September and 17 October.
FSIS conducted a food safety assessment at the facility following the initial recall. Microbial testing and other findings indicated that additional product may have been contaminated due to harborage of Listeria monocytogenes.
The products included in the expanded recall were produced between 6 September and October 10.
Broccoli salad kit recall
Taylor Farms, a Jessup, firm is recalling 5,084 pounds of broccoli salad kit products, which contain salad dressing in packets that are the subject of a recall due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to USDA-FSIS.
The salad kits were shipped to distributors and retail locations (delis) for consumer purchase in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.
Taylor Farms informed FSIS that salad dressing subject to an FDA recall was contained in the salad kits produced on the dates listed above.
FSIS, FDA and the companies have not received any reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalls.
