The Phu Huong Food Company, out of Rosemead, California, has recalled hundreds of pounds of frozen, precooked meatballs because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The 11 ounce packages are found in the frozen section of California vendors, and contain beef and chicken. The adulterated product was produced on two days in October, including the 2nd and 3rd, and is not believed to implicate other production dates at this time. The recalled product label states:
“BÒ VIÊN PHÙ-HƯƠNG GÂN BEEF MEATBALLS (WITH BEEF TENDONS) (Chicken added / Cô Gá)”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 7681” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in California.” The lot codes include 200101 through 200124. It was the FSIS that identified Listeria monocytogenes in the product during routine testing.
Listeria monocytogenes is especially dangerous for pregnant women, who are much more likely to become ill from consumption of Listeria monocytogenes, and may lose their unborn child to miscarriage or still birth. In the elderly or very young, and in those with a compromised immune system, Listeria monocytogenes often presents as meningitis and can be fatal, this according to one national listeria lawyer who has represented victims of listeriosis in wrongful death cases and in cases where the victim suffered meningitis and the onset of dementia, an affect that can happen in older victims.
Tony Coveny, Ph.D., an attorney with Ron Simon & Associates, the food poisoning law firm, stated: “While pregnant women and the elderly are routinely warned against eating precooked meats, including deli meats, the prevalence of these types of meats can make them difficult to avoid. They are often served at luncheons or on party trays.”
Julie Prentice, the manager of Phu Huong Food Company, can be reached directly at 626-236-0677.
