Salami sticks sold at Trader Joe’s and other stores could make you sick from salmonella
Euro Foods has recalled more than 119,000 pounds of salame stick products potentially contaminated with salmonella.
(Salami, by the way, is the plural of the Italian salame, which means “to salt,” according to the Oxford dictionary.)
The Pennsylvania company’s savory pork treats were the subject of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) public health alert in late October concerning the possibility of salmonella, a bacteria that causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Food is how most people come into contact with salmonella, according to the CDC.
At the time, a recall was not issued on the Citterio Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks, which are sold at numerous stores, including Trader Joe’s. But it was suggested that people ought not consume the product and the expectation was that it would be pulled from shelves.
During the salmonella outbreak traced to fresh whole onions, the Miami Herald reported that the pork sticks came to the attention of the CDC, too. “Nine people were interviewed about foods they ate before getting sick, and eight reported eating or maybe eating this product,” the CDC noted in October.
What to look for
The FSIS issued the recall alert on Wednesday after inspectors saw some of the 2-ounce packages of Citterio Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks ALL NATURAL were still on sale at one retail location despite the earlier health alert.
Two Citterio salame stick samples that had previously been collected by the California Department of Public Health ultimately tested positive for salmonella.
The Italian-style salame stick items were produced before Oct. 25 and have “best by” dates through Jan. 23, 2022, stamped near the package’s barcode.
The recalled pork and sea salt sticks also have the establishment number “EST. 4010” printed inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items, marked gluten free, were shipped to retail locations nationwide and exported to Bermuda.
What you should do
If you have some of the Citterio Salame Sticks in your freezer, take them back to the store for a refund or toss them out.
If you have questions regarding this recall, contact Citterio USA’s Sr. VP Joseph Petruce at 800-435-8888 or email joseph.petruce@citteriousa.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can also call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854.
What salmonella infection feels like
Crummy. The CDC’s talking diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever within six hours to six days after eating a contaminated product.
The illness usually lasts 4 days to a week. Most people recover without treatment. But for some, hospitalization becomes necessary. And seniors, infants and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Salami sticks sold at Trader Joe’s and other stores could make you sick from salmonella."
