Beef and Poultry Recall in Three States Over Listeria Contamination Fears

Pelleh Poultry Corp. is recalling more than 700 pounds of ready-to-eat beef and poultry products that may have been contaminated with listeria, federal officials have announced.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recall after it was notified by the company, based in Swan Lake, New York, that laboratory testing indicated the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall involves products that were packaged on dates between October 25 and November 20, according to the statement from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). A full list of products can be seen here and the labels for the products can be viewed here.

The products were shipped to retail locations and institutions in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The recalled products bear the establishment number "EST. P44121" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products, according to the FSIS, but anyone who is concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

The FSIS said it is concerned that some of the products may be in consumer or institutional refrigerators or freezers.

"Consumers are urged not to eat these products. Institutions are urged not to serve these products," the department said. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

If eaten, food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis.

Listeriosis is a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.

It can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. It can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Those in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Eliezer Franklin, the chief executive officer of Pelleh Poultry Corp., at 845-425-4559 or eli@pellehpoultry.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. Those that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed here.