Pork Products Recalled Because of Possible Listeria Contamination

 Posted on December 13, 2021 in Food Poisoning

While the food products that are made available to consumers in the United States are expected to be safe for consumption, there are many cases where products may become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. When contaminations are discovered, recalls may be performed to remove products from stores and prevent food poisoning. However, consumers may still be exposed to foodborne illnesses, especially if they purchased products before they were recalled. Recently, a large number of pork products were recalled because they may have been contaminated with listeria. 

Recall of Fully Cooked Ham and Pepperoni Products

On December 5, 2021, Alexander & Hornung, a food product manufacturer in Michigan that is owned by Perdue Premium Meat Company, Inc., issued a recall of more than 230,000 pounds of meat products because they may have been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The recall included multiple types of cooked ham and pepperoni stick products with sell-by dates ranging from 12/10/21 to 5/24/22. These products were sold under multiple brand names, including:

• Alexander & Hornung

• Wellshire

• Butcher Boy

• Garrett Valley Farms

• Food Club

• Niman Ranch

• Open Nature

• Big Y

• Five Star

While retailers have removed these products from store shelves, any products purchased before the recall may still be in people’s homes and stored in refrigerators or freezers. These products should not be consumed, and they should be thrown away or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Risks of Listeria Food Poisoning

Listeria is the third most common cause of death from food poisoning, and around 1,600 people in the United States become ill because of listeria each year. Consuming food contaminated with listeria can lead to a serious infection known as listeriosis. A person who is infected may initially experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea, and as an infection progresses, a person may suffer from fevers, headaches, confusion, and seizures or convulsions.

Listeriosis can be very dangerous for people over the age of 65 or those who have weakened immune symptoms due to an autoimmune disorder or medical treatments such as chemotherapy. Pregnant women may also be at risk of infection, and listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirth, or premature labor. A listeria infection that is transmitted from a mother to a newborn child during pregnancy or birth may place the infant’s life at risk. 

Contact Our Illinois Listeria Injury Attorneys

Listeria infections can be very dangerous, and they may result in hospitalization, permanent disabilities, or death. The attorneys of Newland & Newland, LLP can help determine who was responsible for these types of infections, and we will work with victims to take legal action against a food product manufacturer or another party that was responsible for a foodborne illness. Contact our Illinois listeria food poisoning lawyers today at 312-981-0409 to arrange a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/alexander-hornung-recalls-fully-cooked-pork-products-due-possible-listeria

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/listeria/