Member’s Mark frozen meatballs recalled due to possible listeria contamination

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than 3,400 pounds of beef meatball products sold at Sam’s Clubs across the south are being recalled due to a possible listeria contamination.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Rich Products Corporation has recalled Member’s Mark Casa Di Bertacchi Italian Style Beef Meatballs.

They are sold in 36 pound cases containing six, 6 pound bags. They have a best if used by date of 17 DEC 2018 on the label.

The lot code on the packaging is 15507351.

The items were shipped to distributers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

The problem was discovered on Wednesday when Food Safety and Inspection Service received word from the firm that they had shipped the possible contaminated product.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.