WASHINGTON – Lorentz Meats, a Cannon Falls, Minn., establishment, is
recalling approximately 100 pounds of ham products that may be contaminated with
Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to recall: [View
Label]
-Various sizes of whole or half ham packages of “KOWALSKI’S Markets, FULLY
COOKED, SMOKED HAM, Naturally Smoked with Hardwoods, 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 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., and the surrounding area.
The problem was discovered through third-party testing, and the establishment
notified FSIS. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with
consumption of this product.
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. If available, the retail
distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause
listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely
contract listeriosis. However, 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.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company
Owner/Chief Financial Officer Mike Lorentz at (612) 490-1827.
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual
representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and
Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through
Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
Source:
USDA FSIS