The manufacturer, Fratelli Beretta USA, issued a recall on approximately 862,000 pounds of the uncured antipasto products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Infantis or Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) described the items in question as ready-to-eat 24-ounce trays containing two 12-ounce packages of “Fratelli Beretta UNCURED ANTIPASTO PROSCIUTTO, SOPPRESSATA, MILANO SALAMI & COPP.” The packaging displays “best by” dates of “AUG 27 21” through “FEB 11 22” and the UPC code 07354130531. RELATED: 10 Things You Wanted to Know About Salmonella Fratelli Beretta brand prepackaged uncured antipasto trays are sold in a variety of grocery stores and other food markets nationwide, including Costco. Fratelli issued a letter on August 27 to all Costco members who had bought the product cautioning them to not consume the product and to return their purchase to the store for a full refund. The recall does not involve Italian-style meats sliced at a deli. To eliminate the possibility of lingering bacteria, the CDC advises consumers who have bought contaminated products to not only dispose of them but to wash containers, surfaces, and utensils that may have touched the products using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health detailed how salmonella bacteria has the potential to survive several hours or even days on surfaces such as plastic, wood, and stainless steel, including countertops. Food contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Common symptoms brought on by this infection are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever between six hours to six days after eating the contaminated product. The sickness usually lasts four to seven days, and most individuals recuperate without treatment. In some people, however, the diarrhea can be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. The CDC estimates that 26,500 are hospitalized every year due to salmonella exposure and about 420 Americans die annually from related illness. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Most concerning symptoms to be aware of include a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea for more than three days, bloody diarrhea, extensive vomiting, and severe dehydration, according to the CDC. Individuals concerned about illness should contact their healthcare provider.
