January 21, 1999

Cold Cuts and Hot Dog Recall

The Westchester County Department of Health reminds consumers that there is a recall on specific brands of hot dogs and cold cuts in effect due to possible contamination with the bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes.

On January 15, 1999, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recalled 10 oz. packages of Oscar Mayer All American Variety Packs, and 9 oz. packages of Oscar Mayer Club Sandwich Variety Packs. The recall affects the above mentioned variety packs which were sliced and packaged on October 29, 1998. Recalled packages can be identified by the USDA codes of EST.537A or P-1449, or by a JAN 12 date in the upper left corner on the back of packages.

On December 22, 1998, the Sara Lee Corporation, Bil Mar Foods division, voluntarily recalled hot dogs and various processed meats marketed under the following brand names: Ball Park, Bil Mar, Bryan, Grillmaster, Hygrade, Mr. Turkey, Sara Lee Deli Meat and Sara Lee Home Roast. The recalled products are marked with Establishment Number P-261 (for poultry) and Establishment Number 6911 (for non-poultry).

If you have purchased any of these recalled products, do not consume them. Be sure to either discard them, or return them to the grocery store where they were purchased for a full refund. Consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555, for more information.

Eating food which is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause Listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness in high-risk individuals. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriage or fetal death. Infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune symptoms can experience life-threatening complications including meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Outbreaks of disease caused by Listeria have been associated with unpasteurized dairy products, and also soft cheeses that may support the growth of Listeria during ripening. Both dairy products such as cheeses and ready to eat cold cuts can become contaminated after processing. To avoid Listeria infection, residents should consume only thoroughly cooked meats and pasteurized dairy products. Residents at an increased risk for becoming seriously ill due to Listeria can minimize their exposure to the bacteria by avoiding soft, runny cheeses; unpasteurized dairy products; pates; hot dogs; and cold cuts.

Symptoms of Listeriosis include sudden onset of fever, intense headache, nausea and vomiting. In normal individuals, Listeria infection often causes only mild illness with flu like symptoms. 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.