Listeria Contamination Prompts Ham Recall

Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium, is causing the recall of approximately 18,416 pounds of boneless cooked ham products from Carolina Pride Foods, Inc., located in Greenwood, South Carolina. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the potential contamination was discovered through third-party microbiological sampling contracted by Carolina Pride Foods.

The recalled ham products were produced May 13 and distributed throughout the Southeast US to institutional food service outfits or retail stores. The following recalled product details were given by the FSIS:

“10-ounce vacuum packages of “CAROLINA PRIDE Smoked Diced Ham” with the sell by date of Sept. 23, 2011 stamped on the package. The packages also bear “EST. 242″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and were sent to retail locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The label on 10-pound cases of this product would be stamped “4218.”

“10-pound cases containing five, 2-pound vacuum packages of “CAROLINA PRIDE Diced Ham.” The label on cases of this product would be stamped “3804″ and shipped to locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

“12-pound cases containing 8-ounce vacuum packages of “HARDEE’s Smoked Diced Ham” with the use through date of Nov. 9, 2011 stamped on the package. The shipping label on cases of this product would be stamped “4181″ and shipped to locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Listeriosis is an infection that can result from the consumption of eating food contaminated with Listeria. Listeriosis symptoms can include:

Flu-like fever and muscle aches

Upset stomach or diarrhea

Stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or convulsions

Flu-like symptoms in pregnant women

Listeriosis can be especially dangerous in pregnant women, and can cause stillbirth or miscarriage. The food safety attorneys at Pritzker Olsen have handled Listeria cases in the past and are experienced in investigating foodborne illness claims.

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