The CDC, in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the week of April 1, 2016, has published a study on how often retail deli slicers are cleaned. Deli foods are notorious for being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Listeria infections are the third highest cause of foodborne illness deaths in the country, after Salmonella and Toxoplasma gondii. Deli meats are a major source of listeriosis illnesses. And once Listeria bacteria are present in a facility, it can be very difficult to eradicate. Mechanical slicers pose cross-contamination risks in delicatessens. If the machine is used to prepare cheese that is contaminated with pathogens, then that cleaner is used to prepare other foods, they may become contaminated too. Reducing Listeria contamination of these … [Read more...]
FSIS Launches Pilot Project on Listeria Monocytogenes and Delis
Listeria monocytogenes can be found in most environments, but is a particular problem in delicatessens. Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you about many recalls of deli foods for contamination by this pathogenic bacteria. Listeria is often associated with ready-to-eat deli meats and soft cheeses that may be recut and packaged by store delis. And studies have shown that Listeria can easily survive the standard cleaning procedures used by most deli operators and employees. The bacteria can survive at refrigerator temperatures and can hide in nooks and tiny crevices. In fact, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are told to avoid eating ready-to-eat foods purchased from delicatessens. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) held a webinar on January 13, … [Read more...]
Adolf’s Brand Meats Recalled for Listeria in CT
Adolf’s Meat Products of Hartford, Conn. is recalling approximately 224 pounds of assorted meat that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumers who have purchased these meats should not eat them as Listeria can cause serious illness and death. The recalled items, produced on Oct. 20, 2015 and sold at retial locations in Connecticut are: Smoked Kielbasa, Ham, Canadian Bacon, Bone-In Pork Loins and Liverwurst. The smoked kielbasa products have establishment number “EST. 34651” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The other products were sold without labels from deli counters. while other products were sold without labels from behind deli counters. At the time of the recall there were no confirmed reports of adverse reactions. However, symptoms of a Listeria infection … [Read more...]
Jewel Deli Meat Possible Source of Salmonella Food Poisoning Outbreak
A Salmonella outbreak at the Jewel store in Tinley Park, IL may have been caused by deli meat, according to local reports. After being contacted about reported illnesses by the Cook County Health Department on Wednesday, the store, located at 171st St, and Harlem Ave., closed its deli for several hours to deep clean the are and remove foods. There are three confirmed cases of Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, and six probable cases. Test results on the probable cases are pending. Store employees have been asked to submit stool samples so health authorities can determine how the bacteria made its way into the deli area. Food poisoning from Salmonella happens when people eat food that is contaminated with microscopic amounts of fecal matter. Salmonella bacteria typically live … [Read more...]
List of Retailers Recalling Manda Deli Meat For Listeria Swells To 46 Pages
Deli meats produced by Manda Packing Company of Baker, La. that are potentially contaminated with Listeria are being recalled from 19 states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection (USDA FSIS) has published an updated list of retailers that carried the recalled products which is now 46 pages long. To see the list click here. The Manda products under recall include: roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks, hog head cheese, corned beef, and pastrami and were sold under a variety of brand names at grocery store deli counters. The recalled meats were sold in packages with “Sell by” dates ranging from May 13-June 22, 2013 and had the establishment number “EST. 8746A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. However, if consumers purchased these products … [Read more...]
Listeria Concern Prompts Deli Meat Recall At Walmart, Dollar General And More
Deli meats produced by Manda Packing Company of Baker, Louisiana are being recalled for potential Listeria contamination by a number of retailers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS). Listeria can cause serious, sometimes fatal illness but, at this time, no illnesses have been associated with the recalled meat. The problem was initially discovered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture when routine testing on a sample of cooked roast beef taken from a retail establishment on April 5, 2013 was positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The Manda products under recall include: roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks, hog head cheese, corned beef, and pastrami and were sold under a variety of brand names at … [Read more...]
