Perdue Recalls 250,000 Pounds Of Pepperoni, Ham For Listeria

CHARLOTTE, NC — Perdue Premium Meat company has issued a massive recall for pepperoni and cooked ham that could be contaminated with Listeria, according to the US Department of Agriculture. It affects a quarter million pounds of their products.

The products were produced on various dates and shipped with several labels, but all have the same establishment number — "EST. M10125" — inside their USDA inspection marks.

Listeria is especially dangerous to older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children.

Fortunately, no one has reported getting ill so far, but if a person does feel ill they should immediately contact their doctor.

Symptoms of listeriosis, as the infection is called, include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

The infection can cause miscarriages, still births or premature delivery for pregnant women, officials said.

If someone does develop illness from the prepackaged meat, they can be treated with antibiotics to resolve it.

Officials ask anyone who may have bought the contaminated ham or pepperoni to search their refrigerators or freezers and throw the products away or return them to where they were purchased.