Walmart deli meat recalled

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A New York company has recalled 380,000 pounds of deli meat products distributed to Walmart stores nationwide after a retail sample from Georgia tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

The products from Buffalo, N.Y.-based Zemco Industries were distributed to Walmart delicatessens in 25- to 32-pound cases for use in "Marketside Grab and Go" sandwiches.

Included in the recall were ham and roast beef products.

A sample routinely collected by the state Department of Agriculture from the Walmart store in Dublin in central Georgia prompted the recall, according to the agency.

In a notice announcing Tuesday's recall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said there had been no reports of illnesses associated with the products.

According to the notice, Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, "an uncommon but potentially fatal disease."

"Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis," the recall notice states. "However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea."

The products being recalled were all labeled as Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches.

They included Black Forest Ham With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color; Hot Ham, Hard Salami, Pepperoni, Sandwich Peppers; Virginia Brand Ham With Natural Juices, Made in New York, Fully Cooked Bacon, Sandwich Pickles, Sandwich Peppers; and Angus Roast Beef Coated with Caramel Color.

The packages, bearing vendor number 398412808 and the USDA mark of inspection, were produced between June 18 and July 2, with "use by" dates between Aug. 20 and Sept. 10.

Zemco is a unit of Springdale, Ark., meat producer Tyson Foods Inc.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this article.