The USDA said, Tuesday, Zemco Industries in Buffalo, New York, has recalled around 380,000 pounds of deli meat that could possibly be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Zemco is a unit of food producer Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE.TSN).
The USDA said suspicion of contamination was first triggered when retail samples collected by food inspectors in Georgia were found to contain the bacteria.
The department said it has not yet received any reports of illnesses associated with the meat but warned that consumption of the recalled product could possibly cause "listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease."
The disease, which is recognized by symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck and nausea, is rarely contracted by healthy people but infants, elderly people and those with weakened immunity system such as HIV patients, pregnant mothers or those undergoing chemotherapy are vulnerable to this disease, the USDA said.
According to department spokesman Gary Mickelson, it is possible that most of the recalled deli meat "have already been consumed." Nonetheless, Wal-Mart has been directed to remove the recalled products from its store shelves.
In a company release, Wal-Mart said the recall does not affect individual retail packages of deli meat but does impact Marketside Grab and Go sandwiches including the Ham and Swiss Sandwich, Italian Hero Sandwich, Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwich, and Smokehouse Hero Sandwich.
The retail giant said it is cooperating closely with the USDA in making the recall a success and has advised its customers who recently purchased the recalled products to return them "for a full refund."
"The safety of customers is a top priority at Wal-Mart, and that includes offering safe, high quality foods at the most affordable prices," the retailer said.
Tyson Foods Inc., which owns Zemco, said it decided to announce the voluntary recall as soon as it heard that a sample of the supermarket deli roast beef and ham analyzed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture was found to contain the bacteria.
"Only one company, Wal-Mart, received the recalled deli meats. The company has been contacted and has instructed its stores to remove the products from shelves and is destroying any remaining products still in its possession," Tyson said in a press release. Shares of the company were trading down 1.87 percent at $16.28 during afternoon session, Tuesday.
The recalled products are:
- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Black Forest Ham With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17800 1300.
- 28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Hot Ham, Hard Salami, Pepperoni, Sandwich Peppers" with the number 17803 1300.
- 32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Virginia Brand Ham With Natural Juices, Made in New York, Fully Cooked Bacon, Sandwich Pickles, Sandwich Peppers" with the number 17804 1300.
- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Angus Roast Beef Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17805 1300.
The recalled products were produced between June 18 and July 2, 2010 and bear "Use By" dates between August 20 and September 10, 2010.
The USDA said suspicion of contamination was first triggered when retail samples collected by food inspectors in Georgia were found to contain the bacteria.
The department said it has not yet received any reports of illnesses associated with the meat but warned that consumption of the recalled product could possibly cause "listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease."
The disease, which is recognized by symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck and nausea, is rarely contracted by healthy people but infants, elderly people and those with weakened immunity system such as HIV patients, pregnant mothers or those undergoing chemotherapy are vulnerable to this disease, the USDA said.
According to department spokesman Gary Mickelson, it is possible that most of the recalled deli meat "have already been consumed." Nonetheless, Wal-Mart has been directed to remove the recalled products from its store shelves.
In a company release, Wal-Mart said the recall does not affect individual retail packages of deli meat but does impact Marketside Grab and Go sandwiches including the Ham and Swiss Sandwich, Italian Hero Sandwich, Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwich, and Smokehouse Hero Sandwich.
The retail giant said it is cooperating closely with the USDA in making the recall a success and has advised its customers who recently purchased the recalled products to return them "for a full refund."
"The safety of customers is a top priority at Wal-Mart, and that includes offering safe, high quality foods at the most affordable prices," the retailer said.
Tyson Foods Inc., which owns Zemco, said it decided to announce the voluntary recall as soon as it heard that a sample of the supermarket deli roast beef and ham analyzed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture was found to contain the bacteria.
"Only one company, Wal-Mart, received the recalled deli meats. The company has been contacted and has instructed its stores to remove the products from shelves and is destroying any remaining products still in its possession," Tyson said in a press release. Shares of the company were trading down 1.87 percent at $16.28 during afternoon session, Tuesday.
The recalled products are:
- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Black Forest Ham With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17800 1300.
- 28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Hot Ham, Hard Salami, Pepperoni, Sandwich Peppers" with the number 17803 1300.
- 32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Virginia Brand Ham With Natural Juices, Made in New York, Fully Cooked Bacon, Sandwich Pickles, Sandwich Peppers" with the number 17804 1300.
- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches Angus Roast Beef Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17805 1300.
The recalled products were produced between June 18 and July 2, 2010 and bear "Use By" dates between August 20 and September 10, 2010.
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