Recalls & Alerts
By FSIS
Apr 21, 2005, 20:45
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-021-2005 HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Amanda Eamich
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2005 – Oberle Meats, a St. Genevieve, Mo., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,077 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
Products subject to recall include:
* 1- pound packages of “OBERLE, SMOKED PORK SAUSAGE, HICKORY SMOKED, READY TO EAT.”
* 1- pound packages of “OBERLE SAUSAGE, HICKORY SMOKED, READY TO EAT.”
* .60- pound packages of “OBERLE, LIVER SAUSAGE, READY TO EAT.”
* .15- pound packages of “OBERLE, SNACK STICKS, HICKORY SMOKED, READY TO EAT.”
* .75- pound packages of “OBERLE, WIENERS, HICKORY SMOKED, READY TO EAT.”

Each package bears the establishment code “EST. 2334” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The products were produced on April 11 and were distributed to retail establishments in Illinois and Missouri. The problem was discovered through routine FSIS regulatory sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause 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 including infants, the elderly and persons with chronic disease, such as HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Manager John Oberle at (573) 883-5656.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.