2nd recall for processor of RTE meat products due to Listeria

Buona Vita, a NJ meat processor, is issuing its 2nd recall this month for Listeria. In the last recall, products from a number of production dates in May were recalled. In this recall, products made on June 26th were recalled. According to the FSIS Release (below), the product was tested by a third party and found to be positive.

(Earlier recall http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2012/07/nj-firm-recalling-frozen-meat-product.html)

Bridgeton meat company issues second voluntary recall in July
Published: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 8:25 PM Updated: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 8:48 PM
By Jason Laday/The News of Cumberland County
http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/07/bridgeton_meat_company_issues.html

BRIDGETON — Buona Vita, Inc. is recalling an additional 72,510 pounds of frozen meat and poultry products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

In an announcement released Thursday evening, officials from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) stated 15 more products made by the Bridgeton-based meat company are being voluntarily recalled, and pose a “high” health risk.


The possibly affected foods, all produced on June 26, include:

• 30-lb. case of Silver Lake “.5 oz. Cooked Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 30-lb. case of Buon Gusto “.5 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “1/2 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. case of Mamma Cacciatore “1/2 oz Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “1/2 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “2 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. case of Mamma Cacciatore “1 oz. Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “1 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs”

• 10-lb. case of Pisa Brand “1oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “1 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef”

• 10-lb. cases of Buon Gusto “1 oz. Baked Italian Style Meatballs with Pepper and Onions”

• 10-lb. cases of Buono Vita “1 oz. Baked Gourmet Meatballs with Pork and Beef”

• 30-lb case of Buono Vita’s “.65 oz. Baked Gourmet Meatballs with Pork and Beef”

• 10-lb. case of Sapore Italiano “3 oz. Baked Meatballs with Beef and Pork”

• 10-lb. case of Buon Gusto “1/2 oz. Baked meatballs with chicken and beef.”

The packages bear the establishment number “P-954,” or “Est. 954,” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were sold to distribution facilities nationwide, according to the FSIS.

“The problem was discovered through microbiological testing by a third party,” read a statement from FSIS representative Bill Bagley. “FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.”

The FSIS and Buona Vita announced on July 7 that the company was voluntarily recalling 324,770 pounds of various frozen, ready-to-eat meals and poultry products.

Included in the July 7 recall were meatballs and dinner loaves under the brand names Silver Lake, Argentina Pride, Dirusso, Buona Vita and Momma Isabella, all produced between May 3 to May 9.

According general manager Blake Christy, that contamination was found at an Ohio catering business. Christy on Thursday declined to comment on the latest recall, referring all queries to the FSIS website.

“There have been no cases of injury or sickness from the products,” he said. “We are working with the FSIS.”

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects seniors, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, and possibly gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.

To prevent Listeriosis, consumers are asked to properly wash their hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw foods. Cooking utensils must also be kept properly clean. Raw meat, fish and poultry must be cooked properly and kept away from other food. Unpasteurized milk should also be avoided.

Consumers concerned about the recall are instructed to contact Paul Infranco, Buona Vita’s junior vice president of operations, at 856-453-7972.
FSIS News Release

New Jersey Firm Recalls Various Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_044_2012_Release/index.asp
Recall Release
CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-044-2012
HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
Bill Bagley
(202) 720-0286

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2012 - Buona Vita, Inc., a Bridgeton, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 72,510 pounds of various frozen, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include:


30-lb. case of Silver Lake ".5 oz Cooked Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
30-lb. case of Buon Gusto ".5 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef""
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "1/2 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
10-lb. case of Mamma Cacciatore "1/2 oz Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs"
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "1/2 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "2 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
10-lb. case of Mamma Cacciatore "1 oz Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs"
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "1 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs"
10-lb. case of Pisa Brand "1 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "1 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with chicken and beef"
10-lb. cases of Buon Gusto "1 oz Baked Italian Style Meatballs with Pepper and Onions"
10-lb. cases of Buono Vita "1 oz Baked Gourmet Meatballs with Pork and Beef"
30-lb case of Buono Vita's ".65 oz Baked Gourmet Meatballs with Pork and Beef"
10-lb. case of Sapore Italiano "3 oz Baked Meatballs with Beef and Pork"
10-lb. case of Buon Gusto "1/2 oz Baked meatballs with chicken and beef"

All the products were produced on June 26, 2012. The packages bear the establishment number "P-954" or "Est. 954" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were sold to distribution facilities nationwide. When available, the retail distribution list will be posted on FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/
FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases/
index.asp.

The problem was discovered through microbiological testing by a third party. FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact Blake Christy, General Manager of Buona Vita, Inc. at (856) 453-7972.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. "Ask Karen" live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.


Recommendations for people at risk for Listeriosis

Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot.

Do not eat refrigerated paté, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that don't need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.

Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.

Do not eat salads made in the store such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad.

Do not eat soft cheeses such as Feta, quesco blanco, quesco fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.

Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. Listeria can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40° F or lower and the freezer 0° F or lower. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator.