Second Listeria Recall Issued by Buona Vita Inc.

A second Listeria recall has been issued by Buona Vita Inc. Earlier this month, we wrote that Buona Vita, Inc., of Bridgeton, New Jersey was recalling 324,770 pounds of various frozen, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products over potential contamination with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Listeria monocytogenes pathogen. Now, Buona Vita, Inc. is recalling an additional 72,510 pounds of frozen meat and poultry products over the same potential contamination. In both cases, the recalls involve frozen products in 10- and 30-pound cases in a variety of brands and descriptions.

NJ.com wrote that in the announcement released last night, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) officials said that 15 more products have been recalled in what has been designated a Class I recall. A Class I recall is one in which a health hazard situation exists in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of the recalled product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The recent problem was discovered through microbiological testing by a third party. The FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. The prior problem was discovered through microbiological testing by FSIS and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). In that case, neither the agency nor the company have received reports of illnesses associated with these products.

As we’ve long explained, the Listeria pathogen is unique because it tends to thrive in colder temperatures, such as those found in refrigerated environments. Listeria also has an unusually long incubation period—up to 70 days, according to experts—and well tolerates heat and dry temperatures, adding further challenges to the pathogen’s eradication and length to expected reporting time frames.

The recalled foods, which were produced on June 26 are packaged with the establishment number “P-954,” or “Est. 954,” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were sold to distribution facilities, nationwide, and include:

Silver Lake:
•    30-Pound Case: .5-ounce Cooked Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef

Buon Gusto
•    30-Pound Case: .5-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef
•    10-Pound Case: ½-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef
•    10-Pound Case: 2-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef”
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Pepper and Onions
•    10-Pound Case: ½-ounce Baked Meatballs with Chicken and Beef

Mamma Cacciatore
•    10-Pound Case: ½-ounce Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Mamma Cacciatore Baked Beef and Chicken Meatballs

Pisa
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Baked Italian Style Meatballs made with Chicken and Beef

Buono Vita
•    10-Pound Case: 1-ounce Baked Gourmet  Meatballs with Pork and Beef
•    30-Pound Case: .65-ounce Baked Gourmet Meatballs with Pork and Beef

Sapore Italiano
•    10-Pound Case: 3-ounce Baked Meatballs with Beef and Pork

The prior, July 7th recall included meatballs and dinner loaves under the brand names Silver Lake, Argentina Pride, Dirusso, Buona Vita, and Momma Isabella. Those recalled products were produced May 3-9.
According to Buono Vita’s general manager, Blake Christy—who declined to comment on the newest recall, referring questions to the FSIS web site—that contamination was discovered at an Ohio catering business. “There have been no cases of injury or sickness from the products,” Christy told NJ.com, adding, “We are working with the FSIS.” Buona Vita’s junior vice president of operations, Paul Infranco, can be reached at 1.856.453.7972. When available, the retail distribution list will be posted on FSIS’ website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.
Listeria monocytogenes can lead to the listeriosis infection, a potentially fatal disorder that can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in those with weakened immune systems, infants, and the elderly. Vulnerable populations, such as the developing fetus, can suffer serious central nervous system problems. The infection can also prompt premature births, or the death of the fetus via miscarriage and stillbirth; pregnant women are 20 times likelier to become infected. Listeriosis can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and to neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.