Giant Eagle, a grocery store chain based in Pennsylvania is recalling frozen hash browns because there is a chance they may be contaminated with Listeria.

This recall involves Giant Eagle and Food Club brand frozen loose hash browns. According to the recall notice, the independent and unrelated manufacturer of the hash browns has been informed of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in products made in the same facility as the recalled items. (more…)

Associated Grocers of Maine is recalling 312 lbs of ham products because of possible Listeria contamination. The recalled ham products were imported to the U.S. from Canada.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recall involves the following. (more…)

A Texas company is recalling beef brisket because of possible Listeria contamination.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the following product is subject to this recall: (more…)

Schaller & Weber (Schaller Mfg. Corp. of Long Island City, NY) has recalled duck leg confit and kolbase sausage products because of listeria worries.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),no illnesses have been associated any of the recalled products.  However, consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. 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, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.  According to the USDA, no illnesses have been attributed to either of these recalled products. (more…)

Another company is recalling a food product over food poisoning scare.  Fresca Italia of Brisbane, California is recalling Burrata as a result of a survey sampling conducted by the California Department of Food & Agriculture. The agency’s survey revealed that Fresca Italia’s Burrata contained the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning generated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and is dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, those with chronic medical conditions, people with HIV, or those who are undergoing chemotherapy. Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea. In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions. In pregnant women, Listeriosis can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. Listeria lives in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products; Listeria thrives in cold environments. (more…)

Gourmet Boutique, a New York company that makes fresh and frozen meat products, has recalled 268,000 pounds of meat because of possible listeria contamination. This is the second such recall for Gourmet Boutique this year, which recalled anothery 7,000 pounds of products sent to stores in 10 states over another possible listeria contamination in March.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has deemed the Gourmet Boutique recall a Class I alert, which carries the highest priority and is only issued when there is a “reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” (more…)

A fifth case of listeriosis in Massachusetts has been tied to Whittier Farms Milk, and officials there fear that the listeria outbreak is not over yet. Already, listeria from Whittier Farms Milk has killed three people in Massachusetts. While Massachusetts health officials are hoping that the worst has passed, the long incubation period of listeria bacteria makes it possible that more people could become ill from listeria-tainted Whittier Farms Milk.

The Massachusett Health Department recently established a possible link between Whittier Farms Milk and a fifth case in the outbreak. The new suspected case involves a 31-year-old pregnant woman who fell ill in September after drinking milk from Whittier Farms. State health officials said the woman and her baby are doing well.

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Listeria tainted milk produced by Central Massachusetts’ Whittier Farms is the likely source of a listeriosis outbreak in that state, killing two elderly men and sickening two others.   Whittier has halted production and alerted its customers.  Listeriosis is a type of food poisoning especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and those with chronic medical conditions.  Investigators have been unable to pinpoint the exact listeria contamination source in the production process; however, samples tested positive for listeria, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state’s director of communicable disease control.  DeMaria believes milk was tainted following pasteurization, perhaps when flavoring was added or during bottling.  Milk is sold under the names Whittier, Schultz, Balance Rock, Spring Brook, and Maple.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2,500 people become seriously ill with listeriosis annually; 500 result in death.  In Massachusetts, about 25 cases are identified yearly, but DeMaria said those represent only a fraction since most people experience only mild flu like symptoms—fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea—never reporting them.  In serious cases, the disease spreads to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, and convulsions.  Listeria lives in soil and water and can easily contaminate dairy and beef products; because listeria thrives in cold, milk is an ideal environment.

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A Listeria outbreak has prompted a warning from North Carolina public health officials. Following at least three cases of listeriosis in North Carolina, the North Carolina Division of Public Health is cautioning pregnant women to avoid eating soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli-style meats, and prepared salads. The Listeria cases were identified in Moore, Durham, and Mecklenburg counties; a probable case was identified in Buncombe County. All three confirmed listeriosis cases involved Latinas; two were pregnant women whose pregnancies ended in miscarriage. The third Listeria case also involved a pregnant woman; she delivered early but she and her baby are doing well. The probable listeriosis case involves another pregnant Latina who also lost her baby. All four women consumed soft cheeses from a variety of sources. Although the cases occurred close together in time, data from molecular testing conducted at the State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed different strains were involved. Because a single product does not seem to be the source, a general Listeria warning was issued. “This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel. “Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized milk and other potentially contaminated food, especially among vulnerable people.”

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis outbreaks have been associated with consuming unpasteurized or raw milk, contaminated soft cheeses, vegetables, and ready-to-eat meats. The Listeria bacterium is found in soil and water and animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill, contaminating foods of animal origin such as meats and dairy products. The bacterium has been found in processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses and deli counter cold cuts. The disease typically affects pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems and symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

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