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Listeria Concern Triggers Large Recall of Bacon Bits

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

A 120-year-old Wisconsin company is recalling 3,590 pounds of bacon bits that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced late Saturday.

The smoked, pre-cooked bacon bits were made by Patrick Cudahy of Cudahy, Wisconsin, on Nov. 13. They were distributed in 10-pound cases to restaurant and other institutional food accounts in California, Colorado, Florida, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, the FSIS said.

The agency said no reports of illnesses have been associated with consumption of the prouducts. The pathogen was detected by in-house testing at one of the establishments that received the product.

According to the FSIS, the following products are subject to recall:

• 10-pound cases of "Golden Crisp APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TOPPINGS." The products bear the establishment number of "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."
• 10-pound cases of  "John Morrell APPLEWOOD SMOKED PRECOOKED BACON TIPPINGS."  The products bear the establishment number "EST. 28" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a printed Julian date of "8318."

Here are the product labels:

Consumption of food containing Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal disease that rarely occurs in healthy people. The young, old and immuno-compromised are at risk for contracting the disease. Listeria also can lead to stillbirth and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on January 03, 2009 (boomark / email).