Johnston County Hams has recalled about 89,096 pounds of ready-to-eat ham products after a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak was identified. At least four people are sick in this outbreak, and one person has died.
They are: varying weights of 7 to 8 pound Johnston County Hams, Inc. Country Style Fully Cooked Boneless Deli Ham; varying weights of 7 to 8 pound plastic-wrapped Ole Fashioned Sugar Cured The Old Dominion Brand Hams Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham with sell-by dates from 4/10/2018 to 9/27/2019; and varying weights of plastic wrapped 7 to 8 pound Padow’s Hams & Deli, Inc. Fully Cooked Country ham Boneless Glazed with Brown Sugar. Also recalled are different weights of 7 to 8 pound Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham Less Salt Distributed by Valley Country Hams, LLC. with sell-by dates from 4/10/2018 to 9/27/2019; and 7 to 8 pound plastic-wrapped Goodnight Brothers Country Ham Boneless Fully Cooked.
These products were produced from April 3, 2017 through October 2, 2018. They all have the establishment number “EST. M2646 inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to distributors in Maryland, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Virginia. The people who were sickened live in North Carolina and Virginia.
If you bought any of these products, do not eat them, even if you are going to reheat them. Any bacteria on the hams could cross-contaminate your kitchen before it is heated thoroughly enough to kill the pathogens. Throw the hams away after wrapping them well so other people and animals can’t access them, or take them back to the store where you bought them for a refund.
Clean your fridge or freezer with a mild bleach solution after you get rid of these products. Then wash your hands well with soap and water.
The symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning include high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Pregnant women need to be very careful about this illness, since it can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. If you do get sick after eating these hams, see your doctor.
