The USDA Just Issued a Salmonella Warning for This Kind of Meat

ANYONE WHO PURCHASED THE PRODUCT IS "URGED NOT TO CONSUME" IT.

Meat is a staple in many U.S. households, from turkey on Thanksgiving to prime rib on Christmas. However, there's one particular kind of meat you're better off avoiding for the foreseeable future—and if you don't, your health could suffer. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) just released recall information for a popular type of meat due to serious health risks that may be associated with its consumption. Read on to discover if a food in your kitchen should be tossed now. And for more popular foods to avoid, If You Bought These Popular Chips, the FDA Says Throw Them Away.

The USDA announced the recall of nearly 7,000 pounds of ready-to-eat ham.
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On April 15, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall of approximately 6,804 pounds of Celebrity Extra Lean 98 percent fat free imported ham packaged on Nov. 5, 2020.

The affected ham comes in 12-pound vacuum-packed containers that bear product codes 20309 11 – 91, 20309 21 – 91, 20309 31 – 91, or 20309 51 – 91, as well as Canadian establishment number 180 inside the Canadian mark of inspection on the packaging. And for the latest recall news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter!

The meat may be contaminated with a strain of salmonella.
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The ham was pulled from the market after a sample of salmonella enteritidis was discovered during an import inspection performed by the FSIS. While there have been no reports of illness associated with the consumption of the recalled ham, the FSIS says that anyone with packages of the ham in their fridge or freezer is "urged not to consume them," but should either throw them away or return them to the store from which they were purchased.

Anyone with questions related to the recall can contact Richard Vigneault, Media Relations for Olymel S.E.C./L.P., at (514) 497-1385 or [email protected] or Glenn Gaus, Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance for Atalanta Corp., at (908) 845-2079.

The ham could cause severe side effects if consumed.
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Anyone who has consumed the recalled ham should look out for potential signs of salmonellosis, an infection caused by salmonella bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the most frequently reported symptoms of salmonellosis are abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever, which tend to occur within 12 to 72 hours of becoming infected, with symptoms typically lasting between four and seven days.

While the USDA notes that most people recover from salmonella infections without the need for medical treatment, in some cases—particularly among infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals—the infection can move from a person's digestive tract and into their bloodstream, potentially causing serious illness, organ failure, and even death. If you have symptoms of salmonellosis, contact a medical professional. And if you want to protect your wellbeing, The FDA Is Warning You Not to Eat This Beloved Hostess Snack.

The popular meat joins a long list of salmonella-related recalls this year.
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Celebrity's ready-to-eat ham isn't the only product that's been recalled this year over salmonella concerns. On April 12, the CDC issued a food safety alert for multiple types of ground turkey over concerns the meat could be contaminated with salmonella hadar. In March, four separate foods were recalled over salmonella concerns, as well: Sabra Classic Hummus, Alqosh sesame oil, and both halva and tahini produced by Kareem Chef.

Strains of salmonella have become a frequent worry for pet owners in the U.S., as well. Since the beginning of 2021, multiple brands of dog, cat, and small animal food—including Meow Mix sold at Walmart—have been pulled from the market due to salmonella concerns. And for some products you won't be seeing in your local store anytime soon, These 4 Beloved Foods Are Disappearing From Grocery Shelves, Experts Warn.