Rose's Blog

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of approximately 750 pounds of sausage products sold in Missouri, found contaminated with the deadly Listerosis bacteria.

The firm, T. Piekutowski European Style Sausage, produced the products on Dec. 18, 2008, distributing them in unmarked packages at their retail counter in Saint Louis, Missouri.

None of the packages carry the USDA mark of inspection, though the Listerosis bacteria was discovered through FSIS routine microbiological testing, prompting the sausage recall. The Krakow sausages, wrapped in various sizes were likely purchased by consumers December 18th and 19th. To date, no illnesses have been reported from the sausage recall.

The recalled sausage contains the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, rare bacteria that can prove deadly, especially for anyone with a compromised immune system. Children, elders, anyone undergoing chemotherapy, and those with HIV may be especially at risk from Listeria infection.

Symptoms of Listeria include stiff neck, high fever, headache, and nausea. Listeria can grow in the refrigerator, spread by improper hand washing, and with contaminated cutting boards. Healthy people are not at high risk for contracting Listerosis from the recalled sausage, but ingesting the contaminated sausage can potentially cause illness.

Consumers who are concerned about purchasing the recalled sausage from Missouri should contact Owner-Operator Ted Piekutowski at (314) 534-6256.