Daniele Meat Products Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk

February 2010

Daniele International Inc. issued a recall of 1.24 million pounds of salami last week and has expanded it to include 17,235 pounds of ready-to-eat varieties of Italian sausage products due to a risk of Salmonella poisoning.

The Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 200 people in over 40 states and the District of Columbia have now been affected by the outbreak. At least 38 individuals have been hospitalized nationwide, and five cases have been reported in Pennsylvania.

The recall is being expanded due to a report by the Illinois Department of Public Health that confirmed the finding of Salmonella in an unopened salami product. Black pepper likely introduced the bacteria into Daniele's production facility, according to a study by the Rhode Island Department of Public Health. They announced that samples taken from a previously opened container of ground black pepper at Daniele tested positive for Salmonella.

As soon as the meat products were implicated in the outbreak, the USDA posted the recall on its website. While the USDA is responsible for regulating meat processors, spices fall into the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction. So far, however, the agency hasn't been able to push for a recall of the black pepper distributed by New York-based company Wholesome Spice. Before they can do so, a sample from a sealed container of the pepper must test positive for Salmonella.