Listeria Risk Spurs Meat, Poultry Recall

May 5, 2008 -- Gourmet Boutique, a company based in Jamaica, N.Y., is recalling about 286,320 pounds of fresh and frozen meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

No illnesses linked to the recalled foods have been reported, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Listeria can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. But listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. It can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, elders, and people with weakened immune systems.

The recall includes 21 products -- including chicken salads, sandwiches, and burritos -- that were distributed nationwide. A full list of the recalled products is posted on the USDA web site.

For more information on the recall, contact Gourmet Boutique's recall information hotline at 347-887-0083.