Charcuterie Meats Recalled After Salmonella Hospitalizes Several People
Charcuterie boards are a popular party snack and appetizer, and while may they not be the healthiest food choice, no one expects to get sick from them. But that's exactly what happened in 14 states including: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a recall of charcuterie meats after a salmonella contamination, as stated in a food safety alert on Friday.
Dozens of people have been affected by the outbreak, including five of which who had to be hospitalized.
What is Salmonella?
While you've likely heard the word salmonella, you may not actually know what it is. Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, is a relatively common bacterial disease that can affect your intestinal tract. It's typically caused by eating undercooked or raw meat or eggs or by drinking unpasteurized milk.
This infection can cause diarrhea, stomach pains, and a fever - which explains why many people believe they have the stomach flu when infected. Some of the more severe symptoms include: diarrhea for over three days, bloody diarrhea, a fever over 102, vomiting enough to cause dehydration, dry mouth and throat, dizziness, and limited urination.
Symptoms of salmonella can start anytime between 6 hours to 6 days of swallowing the bacteria, however, many people are able to recover within four to seven days. Children under 5, adults over 65, or anyone who is immune compromised may require hospitalization.
What Charcuterie Meats Were Recalled?
The CDC announced on January 5th, 2024 that salmonella bacteria was found in Busseto Foods ready-to-eat charcuterie meats by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Busseto Foods' processing is based in Barzano, Italy.
Over 11,000 pounds of Busseto Foods’ ready-to-eat charcuterie samplers with prosciutto, sweet soppressata and dry coppawere recalled after being shipped to Sam's Club distribution centers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.
As of Friday, 24 people across 14 states were infected with salmonella, five of which were hospitalized.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said they are, "concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
The exact packages that have since been recalled are listed below:
18-oz. plastic tray packages “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa”
LOT Code L075330300 with “best by” date of April 27, 2024 —product sold with two 9-oz. packages as a twin pack
All establishment numbers “EST. 7543B” inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection and “EST. #47967” on the package
All items sent to Sam's Club distribution centers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas
What to Do if Your Product is Recalled?
First and foremost - don't eat it! The CDC advises customers who currently have the recalled charcuterie meat to either throw it away immediately or return it to the store they bought it at - but make sure to let them know why.
You should also disinfect anything, including your fridge, pantry, or other food packaging, that may have come into contact with the recalled item. If it touched any open food, make sure to throw that away as well.