Chicago - Hot dogs and cold cuts -- including some sold under the Ball Park, Grillmaster and Hygrade brands -- are being recalled after food poisoning sickened at least 40 people in 10 states, killing four.
Sara Lee Corp. announced that it is recalling meats processed at the company's Bil Mar Foods division in Zeeland, Mich., because they might be tainted by listeria bacteria.
Sara Lee spokeswoman Theresa Herlevsen declined to say how many packages were involved in the recall, which will cost an estimated $50 million to $70 million.
Sara Lee is cooperating with investigators from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Agriculture Department, Herlevsen said.
The CDC was still waiting for the results of tests to determine if meat processed at the Michigan plant was the source of the outbreak, CDC spokeswoman Barbara Reynolds said. She wouldn't say whether other plants were under investigation.
About 1,800 cases of food poisoning caused by listeria are reported annually in the United States, Reynolds said.
Healthy people usually can fight off the bacterium with no more than flu- like symptoms. But listeria can kill, causing meningitis or blood infection. Most at risk are pregnant women, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.
Since early August, 40 cases caused by a single listeria strain have been identified in Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Oregon, Vermont and Georgia, the CDC reported.
Genetic fingerprinting of the bacterium helped health officials link the cases. The meats were foods the patients had in common.
On Saturday, the outbreak strain was found in an open package of hot dogs eaten by a patient, according to a CDC report. The hot dogs were manufactured by Bil Mar Foods, but investigators have yet to determine if the meat was contaminated at the company's plant or elsewhere.
The products affected by the recall are coded EST P261 or EST 6911 and include the national Ball Park, Grillmaster and Hygrade brands, distributed throughout the United States. Also affected are the regional Bil Mar, Bryan Bunsize and Bryan 3-pound Club Pack hot dogs, Mr. Turkey, Sara Lee Deli Meat and Sara Lee Home Roast brands.
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
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