Listeria Fears Prompt Ham, Pepperoni Recall In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Nearly a quarter million pounds of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are being recalled nationwide this week, federal food inspectors say.

The products were produced on various dates and shipped with several labels, but all have the same establishment number — "EST. M10125" — inside their USDA inspection marks, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services.

To date, no one has reported being sickened by the contamination, which was identified through routine product sampling, officials said.

Listeria bacteria can cause serious infections, especially for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children. Anyone who thinks they may be ill should contact their doctor.

Symptoms of listeriosis, as the infection is called, include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, still births or premature delivery, officials said.

Anyone in the high-risk categories who experiences flu-like symptoms after eating possibly contaminated food should seek medical care and tell their doctors about eating the contaminated food. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Officials ask anyone who may have bought the contaminated ham or pepperoni to search their refrigerators or freezers and throw the products away or return them to where they were purchased.

With reporting by J. Ryne Danielson.