BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roast beef and ham that was distributed to Walmart delicatessens nationwide and sold in sandwiches has been recalled because it might be tainted with potentially harmful bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today.
No illnesses have been reported from the 380,000 pounds of meat products that were made by Zemco Industries in Buffalo and may contain Listeria, agency spokesman Gary Mickelson said.
“It’s believed most of the affected products have already been consumed,” he said. The sandwiches have been removed from store shelves nonetheless.
It wasn’t immediately clear how many stores sold the meat products. A spokeswoman for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer, could not say where it was sold.
A retail sample collected in Georgia tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, Mickelson said. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and in others with weakened immune systems.
The products being recalled were all labeled as Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches.
They included Black Forest Ham With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color; Hot Ham, Hard Salami, Pepperoni, Sandwich Peppers; Virginia Brand Ham With Natural Juices, Made in New York, Fully Cooked Bacon, Sandwich Pickles, Sandwich Peppers; and Angus Roast Beef Coated with Caramel Color.
The packages, bearing vendor number 398412808 and the USDA mark of inspection, were produced between June 18 and July 2, with “use by” dates between Aug. 20 and Sept. 10.
Zemco is a unit of Springdale, Ark., meat producer Tyson Foods Inc.
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