Andrew J. Spano
County Executive

October 13, 1999

Sabrett Frankfurters Contamination

Contact Mary Landrigan

(914) 637-4715

The Westchester County Department of Health today warned residents not to eat certain packages of Sabrett Skinless Beef Frankfurters due to possible Listeria contamination.

"A recent sample of this product by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria," stated Dr. Ada Huang, Deputy Commissioner of Disease Control for the Westchester County Department of Health. "Residents should check their refrigerators for 16-ounce packages of Sabrett Skinless Beef Franks with the code, ‘Sell by October 22 A.’ The frankfurters should not be eaten and either returned to the point of purchase for a refund or discarded."

The product was manufactured by Marathon Enterprises, Inc. of East Rutherford, New Jersey. The company is conducting a voluntary recall of the product. According to the company, the product was distributed in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Symptoms of Listeria infection include sudden onset of fever, intense headache, nausea and

vomiting. In most individuals, Listeria infection often causes only mild illness with flu-like symptoms. However, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the very young and elderly, are at increased risk for serious illness or complications due to Listeria. Symptoms usually occur approximately three weeks after eating a product contaminated with the bacteria, but may occur as early as three days after exposure and as late as 70 days after exposure.

Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high risk foods and by handling foods properly. The general recommendations are:

• Cook thoroughly raw foods from animal sources, such as beef, pork or poultry.
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
• Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods made from raw milk.
• Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.

Persons at high risk, such as pregnant women and immunosuppressed people, should:

• Avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined and Mexican-style cheese. (Hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt need not be avoided.)
• Cook until steaming hot left-over foods or ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs, before eating.

• Although the risk of listeriosis associated with foods from deli counters is relatively low, pregnant women and immunosuppressed persons may choose to avoid these foods or thoroughly reheat cold cuts before eating.

When promptly diagnosed by a physician, the disease can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics.

For more information, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000.

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