“The voluntary recall was initiated out of concern that the product may contain listeria,” a Gusto Packing spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.
The contamination reportedly was discovered when the meat producer’s internal sampling determined that a select number of products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes; those products were frozen and retained for reconditioning. When the firm discovered that some of the involved products accidentally had been shipped into the retail stream, it contacted the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Several states affected
The hams in question had been shipped to wholesalers, for further distribution in a number of states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Additionally, some hams were shipped to clients in Canada.
Three brands of Gusto-produced, private-label hams are affected: Centrella Signature, Amish Valley, and Ripple Creek Farms. The labels bear the establishment number EST. 2516 inside the USDA inspection mark.
To date, neither FSIS nor the processor has received any reports of illness related to consumption of tainted product. Any consumer in possession of spiral-cut ham affected in the recall are directed to return the entire product and packaging to the point of retail.
Severe health effects
Eating food tainted with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection that leaves vulnerable the elderly, pregnant women, newborns and people with compromised immune systems. The ailment can cause a host of symptoms ranging from fever, to diarrhea, to death.
According to the Gusto Packing spokesperson, none of the myriad other meat products produced at the company’s Illinois processing plant are affected by the incident. Consumers or retailers with additional concerns or questions about the recall are directed to call the company’s safety hotline, 1-513-636-5178.