By: Richard L. Smith
Mount Olive, NJ-based Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. has initiated a recall for an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products, including items containing Coppa, due to concerns that they may be under processed and potentially contaminated with foodborne pathogens.
This announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The recall affects products marked with establishment numbers "EST. M47967 or M7543B" either inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package's front.
These products have been distributed to various retail and distributor locations across the country.
This recall comes as part of an ongoing investigation by FSIS, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners, into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella.
An unopened sample of the RTE Coppa product, tested during the investigation, was found to be positive for Salmonella, although this particular product had not been released to the public.
Further inquiries led FSIS to determine the potential underprocessing of the recalled products, with ongoing tests to ascertain any link to the Salmonella outbreak.
Previously, on January 3, 2024, Fratelli Beretta USA had conducted a recall of charcuterie products over possible Salmonella contamination concerns.
Subsequently, on January 18, 2024, FSIS issued a public health alert for additional charcuterie products related to the issue.
Salmonella contamination in food can lead to salmonellosis, a common bacterial foodborne illness characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever appearing 6 hours to 6 days after consumption of the affected product.
While the illness typically resolves within 4 to 7 days without medical treatment, individuals concerned about potential illness are advised to consult with healthcare providers.
