The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is continuing to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo that has now spread to 42 states.
The CDC reported that 207 people have been infected with the strain of Salmonella, including seven in Texas.
No deaths have been reported, but more than 25 percent of those infected have had to be hospitalized.
No cases have been confirmed in the Katy area; however, some of the recalled products are sold locally through grocery stores, delicatessens and specialty food retailers.
The investigation is centering on a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of Italian foods. Daniele International, Inc., of Pascoag, RI has issued a recall of a number of its food products in the wake of the outbreak.
“The Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, continues to work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and other states in the investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections associated with certain Italian-style sausage products including salami/salame,” the FDA said in an announcement yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Daniele International recalled ready-to-eat varieties of Italian style meats. A week later, the company expanded its recall to include additional ready-to-eat meat products.
The recalled items include:
- Calabrese Sopressata Flat Bulk, 3-3.5 lbs per piece Lot 271 with sell by dates of 12/16/10 and 12/18/10
- Hot Calabrese Sopressata Flat Bulk, 3-3.5 lbs per piece Lot numbers 465, 434, 228, and 333.
- Boar’s Head Hot Sopressata Calabrese, produced on 11/28/09 and 12/9/09.
- Daniele All Natural Salame (Coated with Coarse Black Pepper) (10oz) 736436003802
- Daniele Brand Gourmet Pack (Emballage Assorti Gourmet Italian) (500g) 736436707373
- Daniele Deli Selection (20 oz) 736436531024 / 736436854350
- Daniele deli Selection (32oz) 736436720037
- Daniele Gourmet Combo Pack (16 oz) 736436707380
- Daniele Gourmet Deli Selection (Assortment De Fines Charcuterie Italienne) (400g) 736436530131
- Daniele Gourmet Italian Deli Selection (600g) 736436720051
- Daniele Italian Brand Gourmet Pack (16 oz) 736436707335 / 736436857313
- Daniele Italian Brand Gourmet Pack (8oz) 736436847291
- Daniele Natural Salame Coated with Coarse Black Pepper (catch weight)
- Daniele Pepper Salame (catch weight) and EW. 736436303308
- Daniele Salame Bites Pepper Salame (7oz) 736436200393
- Daniele Surtido Fino Italiano (340g) 736436857092
- Daniele Surtido Fino Italiano (454g) 736436707335
- Dietz & Watson Artisan Collection Baby Genoa Pepper Salame (catch weight)
- Dietz & Watson Artisan Collection Party Platter Pack (8 oz) 031506847103
- Boar’s Head All Natural Salame (Coated with Coarse Black Pepper) (8oz) 042421160758
- Boar’s Head Hot Sopressata Calabrese, produced on 11/28/09 and 12/9/09.
- Black Bear Baby Genoa Pepper Salame (9oz) 630003950226
Recent samples of black pepper collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health at Daniele International tested positive for Salmonella. One sample from an open container matched the outbreak strain.
The remaining supply of pepper testing positive for Salmonella has been voluntarily placed on hold by both of Daniele’s distributors.
“The FDA is actively investigating the supply chain of the black pepper used in the manufacturing of the recalled meat products to see if it poses a risk to consumers. The agency has collected and is currently analyzing both domestic and imported black pepper samples,” the agency said in a statement. “To date, all the samples collected and analyzed by the FDA have tested negative for Salmonella; however, sample collection and analysis continues.
If FDA identifies a public health risk associated with black pepper, or any other product, the Agency will take the appropriate action necessary to protect the public’s health.”
Davide Dukcevich, Daniele’s president of sales, said the company has been working closely with federal and state agencies to trace the source of any contamination. The manufacturer has also taken measures to make certain all food products are safe, according to Dukcevich.
“In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our retail partners, we are removing up to one 1.2 million pounds of our product from store shelves across the country,” Dukcevich said in a statement. “We are continuing to work with state and federal officials to find out what happened in this case, and we will provide you with further updates as soon as more information is available. Meanwhile, we are now using only irradiated spices in our products.”
The recalled meat products have an extended shelf life up to one year. Consumers are advised to check the USDA list of the recalled products to make sure they do not have any of them in their homes.
If they do, consumers should throw the products away immediately.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
Anyone having consumed Italian sausage products and experiencing these symptoms should contact a health professional immediately.
By: John Pape on Fri, Feb 5, 2010
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