Associated Grocers Recalls Ham Products for Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON – Associated Grocers of Maine, importing firm, a Gardiner, Maine,
establishment, is recalling approximately 312 pounds of ham products that may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultures
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall: [View
Label
]

  • 16-ounce packages of SUPER TRIM, Shurfine, IMPORTED, COOKED HAM, WATER
    ADDED, 98% FAT FREE.

Each package bears the establishment number 141 inside the Canadian seal of
inspection and a Sell by date of 10JA24.

The ham products were produced on November 25, 2009, and distributed to retail
establishments in Maine and New Hampshire.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms
notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain
that the product is no longer available to consumers.

The problem was discovered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) who
notified FSIS. The CFIA notified FSIS that some of the recalled ham products had
been exported to the United States. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
associated with consumption of this product.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause
listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely
contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe
headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and
stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with
weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV
infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness
should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Vice
President of Administration Cathy Callahan at (207) 588-3201.

Source:

USDA FSIS