CTI Foods of Owingsville, Kentucky, is recalling about 6,720 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) Philly Beef Steaks products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. There is zero tolerance for this pathogen in ready-to-eat product in the U.S. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.
The recall is for 672 cardboard cases labeled Classic Sysco that are 10 pounds each. The cardboard cases contain four 2.5 pound bags of the product. The box and bags are labeled “Fully Cooked Philly Beef Steak Sliced Caramel Color Added,” with a package code of 4887097. They have the establishment number ‘EST. 19085″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to a food service warehouse in Hamilton, Ohio and then were distributed to other food service facilities.
On September 7, 2018, the establishment received results from their lab that four finished products from their August 9, 2018 production were potentially positive for Listeria monocytogenes. If you bought these Philly Beef Steaks, do not eat them. Throw them away in a wrapped package so other people and animals can’t get at them, or take them back to the place of purchase for a refund.
Then clean your refrigerator or freezer with a mild bleach solution. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow at temperatures below 40°F, as in a fridge, and freezing doesn’t kill it. Wipe down packages and shelves with the bleach solution, then rinse with water. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling this product and after cleaning.
If you ate this product, monitor your health for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, and diarrhea. Pregnant women can suffer miscarriages and stillbirths if they get sick with Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning, even though their illness is mild and similar to the flu. If you do get sick, see your doctor.
