862,000 Pounds of Charcuterie Recalled, Linked to Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak

Fratelli Beretta recalled 862,000 pounds of Italian meat, salami, and prosciutto for possible salmonella. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)

A New Jersey-based charcuterie company is recalling more than 850,000 pounds of uncured ready-to-eat antipasto products because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall involves approximately 862,000 pounds of Italian meats produced by Fratelli Beretta Inc., the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) said in a statement.

Fratelli Beretta says the products include its 24-ounce trays containing two 12-ounce vacuum-sealed plastic packages of uncured meats. The products were shipped to retailers nationwide. Costco, the fifth largest retailer in the world, posted a recall for the trays on its website on Aug. 27.

The fully cooked meat trays, produced from Feb. 28 through Aug. 15, can include salami, prosciutto, coppa, or soppressata. The products’ best-by dates range from Aug. 27 through Feb. 11, 2022, with UPC (Universal Product Number) symbol 073541305316.

The best-by date of a recalled vacuum-sealed plastic package containing Fratelli Beretta meat. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked the company’s charcuterie assortments to a multistate salmonella outbreak with cases in 17 U.S. states.

“Some ill people reported eating Fratelli Beretta brand uncured antipasto before they got sick and the traceback investigation confirmed that some of the ill people purchased uncured antipasto trays produced by Fratelli Beretta,” the federal agency said.

While there have been no fatalities, the CDC has reported 36 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations between May and late July. The CDC said the age range of those affected was between 4 and 91.

The public health agency said the investigation is still ongoing to determine if additional products are linked to illness. People who have bought the meat can return it to a local Costco store, or call the company’s hotline at 866-918-8738.

Shoppers walk out with full carts from a Costco store in Washington, on May 5, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

Salmonella

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Symptoms usually start within six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days, according to the CDC.

The agency advises seeking medical attention if one has a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, bloody stools, prolonged vomiting that prevents liquids from being kept down, and signs of dehydration, such as making very little urine, a dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing up.

People aged 65 and above and the immunocompromised are at higher risk from severe salmonella sickness. The CDC said salmonella can also make children under age 5 very sick.

Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report.

From NTD News