May 5, 2008

New York Food Company issues recalls for 286,000 pounds of meat

A New York food company is recalling more than 286,000 pounds of meat and poultry because it might be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The voluntary recall includes several different brands of fresh and frozen products made by Gourmet Boutique, the USDA said Saturday.

Included are some types of chicken salad and sandwiches sold under the name Gourmet Boutique, and several frozen wraps and burritos sold under the names "Jan's" and "Archer Farms."

Federal food safety inspectors discovered the problem during a routine sampling, the USDA said.

No reports of illnesses associated with the recalled foods has surfaced so far, but the bacteria can potentially cause Listeriosis, an illness that can cause high fever, headache and nausea.

A recorded phone message at Gourmet Boutque said that it had made "environmental changes" at its plants to prevent a repeat of the problem.