The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service says Zemco Industries, a Buffalo, N.Y., company, is recalling approximately 380,000 pounds of deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The agency says the meat was distributed to delicatessens where they were further processed into sandwiches. A mumber of the delis are operated by Wal-Mart stores.
Wal-Mart said the recall involves Marketside Grab and Go sandwiches, but not individual packages of deli meat.
"We encourage customers who recently purchased this item to return it for a full refund," the company said in a statement.
The products subject to recall include:
• 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17800 1300.
• 28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17803 1300.
• 32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17804 1300.
The packages also bear vendor number "398412808" and the USDA mark of inspection. The meat products were produced on various dates from June 18 to July 2, 2010, and have various "Use By" dates ranging from August 20 to September 10, 2010. The products were distributed nationwide to a single retail chain.
The problem was discovered as a result of a retail sample collected by the State of Georgia that confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Eating 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 health care provider.
The recall comes at a time when public sensitivity to food safety is already in a heightened state. Two egg producers in Iowa have recalled more than a half-billion eggs because of potential Salmonella contamination.