Listeria Contamination Prompts Gourmet Boutique Meat Products Recall

May 2008

Gourmet Boutique, a New York-based manufacturer, has recalled 290,000 pounds of fresh and frozen meat and poultry products sold nationwide. It was found that the meat could be contaminated with Listeria bacterium.

The recall includes prepared chicken salads, "twister" sandwiches, and burritos. The fresh meat products affected by the recall were produced between April 19 and April 24, and the prepared products were produced between October 23 and April 23. The recall covers a variety of products sold under the Gourmet Boutique, Jan's, and Archer Farms labels.

Ingestion of Listeria bacterium can lead to listeriosis, an illness that can cause fever, nausea, and headaches. This is the second time that Gourmet Boutique products have been recalled due to possible Listeria contamination. On March 3, 7,000 pounds of Gourmet Boutique dinners were recalled because of potential contamination.