Recall of Ready-to-eat Potato Salad in the United States due to Possible Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Background
The US authorities announced that a certain batch of “Midwest Pride” potato salad manufactured by DBC Foods was suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The details of the affected products are as follows:
- Prepackaged 1 lb product containers with the lot number 7057018A sold under “Midwest Pride” label with an expiration date of 2 April 2007.
Actions Taken by the CFS
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has appealed to retailers to stop selling the affected products and advised consumers not to eat them. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and take action as appropriate.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenes can cause a foodborne disease known as listeriosis. Symptoms after exposure to this bacteria may include fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea but healthy individuals rarely develop symptoms. However, the effect on high-risk individuals like pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immunity can be severe. The infection can result in bacterial invasion of blood and the brain, miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in severe cases. Listeria is rather unique in the sense that they can multiply in refrigerated foods that are contaminated.
High-risk food
Prepared salads, unpasteurised milk and their products, soft cheese, smoked and raw seafood, cold meats, pate, etc. are regarded as high-risk foods, as the bacteria are more frequently found in them. Susceptible individuals including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immunity should avoid these high-risk foods.
Advice to the Trade
- Stop selling the affected batch of the products.
Advice to Consumers
- Consumers who have purchased the affected products should stop consuming them.
- They should seek medical advice if symptoms develop.
Further Information
Further information about the incident can be obtained from the following webpages:
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture, USA;
- The US Food and Drugs Administration ;
- The CFS press release;
- The CFS Pamphlet on Listeria
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
20 March 2007