Listeria Linked to Chickens

Posted by Bill Marler on April 21, 2010

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have pinpointed the primary source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in commercial chicken cooking plants: incoming raw poultry. The findings will help processing facilities focus their sanitation processes to reduce cross-contamination. For the 21-month study, scientists from ARS and the University of Georgia tested a new commercial cooking facility before and after processing began. The plant was free of L. monocytogenes when first constructed.

Potential sources of L. monocytogenes were tested by taking samples of soil and water around and near the facility exterior, and by testing heavily traveled floor surfaces following personnel shift changes. Samples were also collected and tested from incoming air from air vent filters and from monthly swabs of incoming raw meat. Floor drains in the facility were sampled approximately monthly to determine at what point the plant would become colonized with the bacteria.

Within four months of operation, L. monocytogenes was detected in floor drains, indicating that the organism had been introduced from some outside source. No L. monocytogenes was recovered from any floor samples in the plant entryways, locker room or cafeteria. Likewise, the organism was not detected on air vent filters during the survey. The only tested source found to be consistently positive for L. monocytogenes was incoming raw poultry meat.

Stop & Shop Recalls Frozen Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Posted by Listeria Attorney on April 17, 2010

Product Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Following notification from its supplier, Stop & Shop announced a voluntary recall of Stop & Shop Frozen Spinach & Artichoke Dip. The product was removed from sale due to possible contamination with listeria monocytogenes. The following product was removed from sale:

Stop & Shop Frozen Dip Spinach & Artichoke UPC# 6 8826702988 2, 8oz.

Listeria is a common organism found in nature. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. Symptoms of listeriosis can be high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

To date, Stop & Shop has received no reports of illness associated with ingestion of this product. Customers who purchased this product should discard it and bring their purchase receipt to any Stop & Shop for a full refund.

Unpasteurized Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese Recalled Due to Listeria

Posted by Listeria Lawyer on April 05, 2010

Del Bueno of Grandview, Wash., says it's recalling 16 oz. packages of its Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese. The cheese has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria.

The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, headache, stiffness and nausea.

The cheese was distributed to retail markets in Washington and one in Hermiston, Ore. It is packaged in round 16 oz. clear plastic and is marked on the back with a code date. All codes between May 24, 2010, through May 30, 2010, are being recalled.

The company said Monday no illnesses have been reported.

Kowalski's Markets issued a voluntary recall Saturday of all hams under the private label "Kowalski's Signature Smoked Ham

Posted by Listeria Attorney on April 03, 2010

The hams, produced by Lorentz Meats of Cannon Falls and with a sell by date of 5/14/10, may be contaminated with Listeria, an organism which can cause illness.

Lorentz Meats believes that they have isolated all products in question, but as a precautionary measure is initiating this recall on all Kowalski's Signature Smoked hams that were produced at Lorentz Meats with a sell by date of 4/23/10-5/22/10 and a USDA establishment number 21207, until all lots produced at Lorentz Meats facility are thoroughly tested.

NY Gourmet Salads Inc. Recalls Chick Pea Salad Because of Possible Health Risk

Posted by Bill Marler on April 02, 2010

NY GOURMET SALADS INC. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling 60 lbs. of its 5 lb. tubs of CHICK PEA SALAD because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

NY Gourmet Salads had already contacted their customers today and has retrieved 40 lbs of the distributed product.

The Chick Pea Salad was distributed in the New York City area to wholesale distributors and retail food stores.

The product is packaged in 5 lb. hard plastic containers with a white adhesive label and black lettering with "EXP. Date: 04/07/10".

There have been no confirmed illnesses to date.

This recall is the result of sampling of the Chick Pea Salad by the US Food and Drug Administration. A sample of the product revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. As a precaution, the company is recalling all 5 lb. tubs of Chick Pea Salad bearing EXP Date 4/07/10. No other date codes are being recalled at this time.