Health Law

Dangerous eating in Pennsylvania

By Drew Falkenstein

As the latest in a succession of food contamination problems in Pennsylvania, K. Heeps, Inc., an Allentown company, is recalling approximately 17.5 pounds of fully cooked turkey breast products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The products subject to recall include:

*  17.5-pound package of "K. Heeps Inc. Fully Cooked, Sliced Turkey, Boneless with Broth." The label bears the establishment number "EST. 09379A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The sliced turkey breast products were produced on June 28, 2010, and distributed to a restaurant in Reading.  FSIS's release does not identify the restaurant; though hopefully, K. Heeps Inc knows who it is and has already notified the right people. 

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling program. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

About Listeria:

Consumption of 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.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on July 07, 2010 (boomark / email).