New Hampshire Health Department Issues Listeria And Salmonella Food Recalls

CONCORD, NH — Several consumer products sold in New Hampshire are being recalled due to salmonella and listeria contamination, according to state officials.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Service warned residents Wednesday not to consume ready-to-eat meat charcuterie products containing Coppa, a type of dry-cured pork produced by Fratelli Beretta USA Inc., due to possible foodborne pathogen contamination. State and federal officials are investigating a potential salmonella outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat Coppa products.

There is one illness linked to the outbreak in New Hampshire.

“As salmonella bacteria can cause serious illness, it is best to throw out any potentially contaminated food rather than risk infection,” Iain Watt, Interim DPHS Director, said.

The recalled products were sold at Costo, Hannaford, Market Basket, and Walmart in New Hampshire.

“Salmonella infection causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually 12 to 72 hours after infection,” a state alert said. “The illness typically lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these cases, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other places in the body and can cause death unless the patient is treated promptly with antibiotics.”

Another national outbreak, listeria, has been linked to cheese made by Rizo-Lopez Foods Inc. in products also sold in New Hampshire.

Those products include Bright Farms Inc. Southwest Chipotle salad kits sold at Hannaford and Price Chopper; Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Avocado Ranch Dole Chopped Kit sold at Shaw’s; Ready Meals and store-made taco kits sold at Shaw's; and Southwest Chicken Wraps sold at Costco.

“Listeria infection can cause serious health concerns,” Watt said. “Contaminated food may not look, smell, or taste any different, so there is no way to tell if Listeria is present.”

Listeria was found in a sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija cheese and was connected to the same strain causing illness in the outbreak at the company.

No listeria illnesses have been reported in New Hampshire.

“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause a serious and sometimes fatal infection called listeriosis in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the state alert said. “Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, so anyone who suspects they may have the illness should contact their healthcare provider.”

If you have questions about salmonella infections and listeria contamination, contact the NH Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.

The USDA has more information about the Fratelli Beretta USA recall here. The FDA has more about the salad and wrap recalls here.

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