Over 52,000 Pounds of Charcuterie Sausage Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

A supplied image of Boar's Head charcuterie meat products part of recall over listeria concerns obtained on Jan. 31, 2022. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sunday announced the recall of over 52,000 pounds of ready-to-eat charcuterie sausage products that may be contaminated with listeria.

The recall covers a range of products produced by Daniele International LLC between May 23, 2022, and Nov. 25, 2022, and distributed nationwide between Dec. 23, 2022, and Jan. 17, 2023.

The brands included in the recall are Frederik’s by Meijer, Boar’s Head, Colameco’s Primo Naturale, Del Duca, and Gourmet Selection. The products are packaged in plastic trays and bear the establishment number “EST. 54.”

The products subject to the recall were listed as follows:

• “Frederik’s Spanish Style Charcuterie Sampler Tray” (6 oz, sell by 4/15/23)
• “Boar’s Head Charcuterie Trio” (6 oz, sell by 4/13/23, 4/14/23, 4/15/23)
• “Colameco’s Primo Naturale Genoa Uncured Salami” (7 oz, sell by 12/23/23)
• “Colameco’s Primo Naturale Black Pepper Uncured Salami” (7 oz, use by 12/22/23, 12/30/23, 1/17/24)
• “Del Duca Sopressata, Coppa & Genoa Salami” (1 lb, sell by 4/13/23, 4/14/23)
• “Del Duca Calabrese, Prosciutto & Coppa” (1 lb, sell by 5/6/23)
• “Del Duca Genoa Salami, Uncured Pepperoni & Hard Salami” (1 lb, use by 5/4/23)
• “Gourmet Selection Sopressata, Capocollo, Hard Salame” (12 oz, sell by 4/14/23)

FSIS said the problem was discovered during a routine inspection that found listeria on surfaces that came into contact with the product.

Listeria is a type of foodborne illness caused by eating contaminated food that has Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The bacterium is commonly found in deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.

No harmful effects have been recorded, but eating food infected with listeria can result in symptoms such as fever, muscle pains, and bowel issues and may be particularly dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and expectant mothers. Listeria can also result in headaches, neck stiffness, disorientation, unsteadiness, and seizures.

If the infection becomes severe, it can spread beyond the digestive system. In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature birth, or serious infections in newborns. Serious cases can be fatal for older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

“FSIS is 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 recall stated.

FSIS said it is monitoring the recall and conducting checks to ensure the product is no longer available to consumers. Anyone concerned about food safety can call a toll-free number for the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

November Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in November 2022 one death and 16 infections with listeria across six states.

The infections occurred in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, with one death reported in Maryland, according to the CDC.

Samples were collected between April 2021 to September 2022 from sick individuals who had a median age of 74, with 62 percent being male.

One of the individuals, a pregnant woman, became sick during her pregnancy and lost her child, according to the health officials.

Eleven of the 13 patients with available ethnicity data had Eastern European backgrounds or spoke Russian.

A total of 13 individuals were hospitalized.

Health officials noted at the time that the “true number of sick people“ in that outbreak was likely higher than reported, and may have spread further than known, because ”some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.”

Approximately 1,600 people contract listeriosis annually, resulting in approximately 260 deaths, according to the CDC.