FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Ready-To-Eat Deli Meat Products

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Ready-To-Eat Deli Meat Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various ready-to-eat deli meat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS was notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that various ready-to-eat deli meat products subject to recall in Canada may have been exported to the United States. Recently, a problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological testing of imported product from Canadian Establishment 665, which resulted in a positive sample for Listeria monocytogenes and two FSIS recalls dated May 4 and 5, 2010. FSIS and Canada have received no reports of illnesses as result of consumption of products subject to this alert. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a physician. FSIS will continue to provide information as it becomes available, including information about any related recall activity. Products exported to the United States include, but are not limited to, the following:
"Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto"
"Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Boneless"
"Casa Italia Gastronomia Prosciutto Mattonella"
"Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless"
"Casa Italia Prosciutto Boneless Sliced"
"Casa Italia Prosciutto Ham Sliced"
"Emma Dry Prosciutto"
Implicated products were produced by Zadi Foods Ltd., CFIA Establishment 665, located in Brampton, Ontario, and may have been distributed to retail locations nationwide. The products would have been sold to consumers at deli counters, and the original brand may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages. All lots and production dates for the above-listed products are subject to this public health alert.
Retailers with questions about recall should contact Zadi Foods Ltd.'s President, Vincenzo DiBattisia, at 1-905-799-6666, ext. 5234.
N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see the N.G.A. website: www.nationalgrocers.org.