San Antonio, Texas, Importing Firm Recalls Dried Beef

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2005 - Pamex Spice, a San Antonio, Texas, importing firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 100 pounds of dried beef products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and/or Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The products subject to recall are one-pound packages of "La Lorenita Dried Beef."

The products were distributed to retail establishments in San Antonio, Texas.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing. Some products tested positive for both Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella while others tested positive for only one pathogen. FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

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.

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