Zemco Industries has recalled deli meats sold at Wal-Mart stores. The meats may contain Listeria MonoCytogenes. The Tyson Foods unit in Buffalo, New York recalled about 380,000 pounds of the deli meats.
Deli meats include ham, salami, pepperoni, and roast beef distributed to national Wal-Mart delicatessens. The recalled meats are sold and packaged in sandwiches labeled as Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches. “A retail sample collected in Georgia tested positive for Listeria MonoCytogenes,” said Gary Mickelson, spokesperson for Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson.
Listeria MonoCytogenes, the bacteria to have contaminated the meats, can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. In uncommon cases, listeriosis can cause miscarriage and stillbirths as well as potentially deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems.
The sandwiches have been removed from store shelves. The meat products were manufactured on various dates from June 18 to July 2, 2010. The products have printed “Use By” dates ranging from August 20 to September 10, 2010.
They include Black Forest Ham With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color; Hot Ham, Hard Salami, Pepperoni, Sandwich Peppers; Virginia Brand Ham With Natural Juices, Made in New York, Fully Cooked Bacon, Sandwich Pickles, Sandwich Peppers; and Angus Roast Beef Coated with Caramel Color.
The Department of Food and Agriculture have not received any reported illnesses or deaths related to the meat. Mickelson also said, “It’s believed most of the affected products have already been consumed.”