Health Law

Bologna Products Recalled Due to Possible Contamination with Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin

By Marler Clark

Earlier today, the Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) of USDA announced that Zwiegle's Inc., located in Rochester, New York, is issuing a recall of approximately 2,997 pounds of bologna products that may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin. FSIS has classified this as a Class I recall, which the agency describes as presenting 'a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.'

The products subject to the recall include:

• Cases containing two 10-pound packages of 'PRICE CHOPPER German Brand Bologna Made With Pork & Chicken.'

Each 10-pound package bears establishment number 'EST. 5333' within the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on Jan. 5, 2011, and packaged on Jan. 7, 2011. Each package also bears a white sticker including the package code '007' and a use-by date '03/08/11.' The products were shipped to a distribution center in New York.

During the processing stage, the company discovered that its smokehouse had malfunctioned. Upon discovery, the plant recooked the bologna products and shipped them to the distribution center. While conducting a routine inspection, FSIS determined that 'the time delay in recooking the product created an environment allowing potential production of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin.'

Although there have been no reports received of illnesses associated with consumption of these products yet, concerned consumers should contact their physician or call the company's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Salva, at (585) 546-1740, with any questions about the recall.

In addition, consumers with food safety questions can 'Ask Karen,' the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov, or call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on March 09, 2011 (boomark / email).