Two Deaths, Seven Illnesses Linked to Listeria in Texas

Posted by Listeria Attorney on May 13, 2010

The San Antonio Metro Health Department is investigating a cluster of listeria infections that is being blamed for two deaths in Bexar County.  The infection is caused by eating food with the listeria bacteria. Over the past four months, five cases have been reported in Bexar County, one in Travis County, and another Hidalgo County.  Doctor Bryan Alsip told News 4 WOAI officials don't know the exact cause, but all the cases are linked.  It looks like all of these are genetically related," Dr. Alsip explained. "In other words, you can do a DNA fingerprint and, for some reason, they are connected."

My bet, Queso fresco (sometimes known as queso blanco). This is a creamy, soft, and mild unaged white cheese that originated in Mexico. It is made by pressing the whey from cottage cheese. It is very similar to cheeses called pot cheese and farmer cheese and has also been compared to Indian paneer. It is considered to be one of the easiest cheeses to make. It is often used as a topping for spicy Mexican dishes such as enchiladas and empanadas as well as filling for rellenos.

Queso Fresco associated Listeriosis in Texas, the facts
 2003 – 2007 (to date) Summary:

• 37 cases
• 12 non-pregnant adults, 25 mother/baby pairs
• 3 adult deaths (not pregnancy related), 1 infant death
• 4 miscarriages
• 11 premature deliveries
• 34 of the cases were Hispanic
• 29 reported eating queso fresco
* 22 cases in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, 14 cases in Harris County

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Ready-To-Eat Deli Meat Products

Posted by Listeria Lawyer on May 10, 2010

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various ready-to-eat deli meat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

FSIS was notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that various ready-to-eat deli meat products subject to recall in Canada may have been exported to the United States. Recently, a problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological testing of imported product from Canadian Establishment 665, which resulted in a positive sample for Listeria monocytogenes and two FSIS recalls dated May 4 and 5, 2010. FSIS and Canada have received no reports of illnesses as result of consumption of products subject to this alert. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a physician. FSIS will continue to provide information as it becomes available, including information about any related recall activity.

Products exported to the United States include, but are not limited to, the following:

* "Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto"
* "Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Boneless"
* "Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Mattonella"
* "Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless"
* "Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless Sliced"
* "Casa Italia Prosciutto Ham Sliced"
* "Emma Dry Prosciutto"

Implicated products were produced by Zadi Foods Ltd., CFIA Establishment 665, located in Brampton, Ontario, and may have been distributed to retail locations nationwide. The products would have been sold to consumers at deli counters, and the original brand may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages. All lots and production dates for the above-listed products are subject to this public health alert.

Illinois Firm Recalls Imported Prosciutto Products Due To Potential Listeria Contamination

Posted by Bill Marler on May 05, 2010

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-028-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Orlando Greco & Son Imports, a Carol Stream, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 822 pounds of prosciutto products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The problem was discovered by FSIS microbiological testing of imported product resulting in a positive sample for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS was notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that the implicated product was also distributed to an Importer of Record and further distributed, thus resulting in this recall. FSIS has received no reports of illness as a result of consuming this product. The following products are subject to recall:

* Various pound cases of "Prosciutto Boneless Casa Italia"

The products were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Illinois and Indiana.

Parent Food Safety Guide for Listeria

Posted by Bill Marler on May 04, 2010

Click to Download:

Listeria Recall of Sausage

Posted by Listeria Attorney on May 02, 2010

ListeriaCustom Corned Beef, Inc., a Denver, Colo., establishment, is recalling approximately 460 pounds of fully cooked crumbled pork sausage products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

* 10-pound boxes with two, 5-pound packages of “POLIDORI, FULLY COOKED PORK SAUSAGE CRUMBLES, KEEP REFRIGERATED/FROZEN.” Each box label bears the establishment number “EST. 4121” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The fully cooked crumbled pork sausage products were produced on Apr. 9, 2010, and were distributed to institutional establishments in Colorado.