The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is telling consumers to avoid smoked pork and beef pepper sticks made by Belgrade Meat Center in Belgrade, Minnesota. Routine product sampling discovered Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in the food. There are no reports of illness to date. You can see pictures of product labels at the MDA web site.
The pepper sticks have the lot number 318130 on the back of the package and Minnesota State Establishment Number 1157. About 20 pounds of the pork and beef pepper sticks were sold at its retail store. Consumers are asked to return the packages to the store.
In addition, 280 pounds of other products were distributed under the Pastures A Plenty label. Uncured smoked breakfast links, lot number 311130 were distributed to Linden Hills Coop in Minneapolis, Whole Foods in Duluth, Bryant Lake Bowl, Cafe Barbette and Gigi Cafe in Minneapolis. Uncured pork wieners with lot number 311130 were distributed through Seward Coop in Minneapolis, Mississippi Market at Selby Avenue and West 7th locations in St. Paul, and the River Market in Stillwater. Finally, uncured pork wieners and uncured smoked bratwurst both lot number 318130 were served at Natedog Mobile Food Cart in the Twin Cities metro area.
If you ate these products and experienced the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes, including fever, headache, nausea, and neck stiffness, contact your doctor. The symptoms of listeriosis can be delayed until 70 days after exposure, so if you ate any of these foods, monitor yourself for the next two months. For questions and more information, call Belgarde Meat Center at 320-254-8287 or Pastures A Plenty at 320-3y7-2061.
