Buona Vita recalls meat products over Listeria contamination

Buona Vita, a meatball manufacturer based in New Jersey, US, is recalling approximately 324,770lbs of various frozen, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The products being recalled include meatballs, chicken and beef patties, and loaves of chicken and beef.

These products were produced in May 2012 and were sold to distribution facilities nationwide under the brand names of Cupino, Mama Isabella, Buona Vita, Vincent Giordano, Dirusso’s, Silver Lake Brand, Argenta Pride, Whitsons Food Service, M&R Frosted Food Co., Orefresco, Bullpen, Napoli, Whorle’s, Buonamici and Monabella.

The packages bear the establishment number ‘P-954’ or ‘Est. 954’ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The recall has been classified as Class I, which indicates a health hazard situation where there are chances of serious, adverse health consequences or even death due to the consumption of the products.

According to the agency, the problem was identified after microbiological testing was carried out by FSIS and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA).

The company has not received any reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

The recall comes a few days after Dole Food recalled 1,077 cases of bagged salads across six states in the US due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can lead to foodborne illness known as Listeriosis, and the symptoms of an infection may include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhoea.

Listeria bacteria multiply in low temperatures, and the outbreaks are usually linked to food products such as unpasteurised cheese, deli meat and smoked refrigerated seafood.

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Image: The recall of Buona Vita meat products has been classified as Class I, which indicates a serious health hazard situation. Photo: USDA.