WASHINGTON — Louis Rich Inc. has recalled about 11,800 pounds of turkey and ham lunch meat distributed nationwide because it may be contaminated by a bacteria that can cause serious illness.
The meat company, based in Davenport, Iowa, has received no reports of people getting sick because of the meat, the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Thursday.
The meat may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea, according to federal inspectors. It can kill young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems and can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
The products being recalled are:
"LOUIS RICH 95% Fat Free TURKEY HAM CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT" in 8 oz. packages. A date code of "EA NOV 10 P-2310" is marked on the upper right corner of each package.
"LOUIS RICH 50% Less Fat Smoked CHOPPED TURKEY HAM CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT CHOPPED & FORMED" in 8 oz. packages. A date code of "EA OCT 31T P-2310" is also on the upper right corner of each package.
Both products were produced on Aug. 2. They were sold nationwide and to some military commissaries.
The meat should be discarded. People with questions can call Louis Rich at 1-800-433-9363 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.