More than 25,000 pounds' worth of ready-to-eat meals are being recalled by Ezzo Sausage Company over fears they could contain a potentially deadly food-poisoning bug.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a class I notice on November 9, 2019 after the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was told samples of affected products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Products affected by the recall include different brands of pizzas and pepperoni produced on October 29, 2019, October 30,2019 and November 5, 2019 before being shipped to distribution centers in Idaho and Ohio. Customers can identify products by the establishment number "EST. 1838A," printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.
While there have been no reported cases of customers falling sick or experiencing any adverse health effects after consuming the products, people are being advised to speak to a medical professional if at all concerned.
The recall is a class I notice, meaning there is "a health hazard situation" with "a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." Listeria can cause hospitalization and, in some cases, death.
The USDA recommends disposing of the recalled products by throwing them away or returning to the place of purchase. The FSIS warns that products may be held at distribution centers, restaurants and institutional refrigerators or freezers and urges restaurants and other institutions not to serve them.
The USDA has published a full list of the products affected, which include:
- 25 pound"Ange's Pizza Sausage for Pizza 38mm Sliced" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "Creno's Pizza Sliced Sausage For Pizza" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "GiAntonio Brand Sausage for Pizza 38mm Sliced" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "GiAntonio Brand Pepperoni 38mm Sliced" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound"Josseppi's Sliced Topper Pepperoni" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "Massey's Portofino Pepperoni" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "Flyer's Pizza & Subs 38mm Sliced Pepperoni" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "Ezzo Brand Burretto Pepperoni Sliced 51mm" (lot code: 102919)
- 25 pound "Ezzo Brand Rough Chopped Pepperoni" 102919
- 25 pound "Ezzo Brand Natural Uncured Pepperoni Sliced 51mm" (lot code: 102919)
- 20 pound "Chopped Pepperoni" (lot code: 103019)
- 20 pound "Pizza King Chopped Pepperoni" (lot code: 103019 or 110519)
- 20 pound "Ezzo Brand Chopped Pepperoni" (lot code: 103019 or 110519)
- 10 pound "Ezzo Brand Chopped Pepperoni"(lot code: 103019)
What is listeria?
Listeria is food poisoning caused by the l. monocytogenes bacteria, causing fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck and confusion. It can also cause patients to experience a loss of balance and convulsions that may follow diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1,600 people in the U.S. will develop listeriosis each year. Of those, approximately 260 will die.
Those most at risk include older adults and people with a weakened immune system. Listeria can also cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery and other problems related to the fetus in pregnant women.
"Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics," reads the recall notice. "Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food."
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