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Easter Hams Recalled In Minnesota

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Hams produced for Easter-buying season have been recalled by a Minnesota company.

Lorentz Meats, based in Cannon Falls, MN, recalled about 100 pounds of ham for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recalled products include various sizes of whole or half ham packages of "KOWALSKI'S Markets, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED HAM, Naturally Smoked with Hardwoods, and KEEP REFRIGERATED."

Each package bears a freeze by date "FREEZE BY 05/14/10" as well as the establishment number "Est. 21207" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The ham products were produced on March 12, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments in and around Minnesota's Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  A list of retailers involved has not yet been released.

Third party testing discovered the listeria, and the establishment then notified FSIS.

No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

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.

Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on April 05, 2010 (boomark / email).