Staying Fit
Over 800,000 pounds of uncured antipasto product have been recalled as a result of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation in to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to Italian-style meats.
Infected people told officials that before getting sick they ate salami, prosciutto, coppa, soppressata or other deli meats commonly found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments.
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A total of 36 people in 17 states were infected between May 9 and July 27. The victims have ranged in age from 1 to 91. Although no deaths have been reported, 12 people have been hospitalized.
States With Salmonella Cases:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Source: CDC
The actual number of infections is likely higher, the CDC says, because people are not regularly tested for salmonella and many who are infected recover without seeing a doctor. Since it takes up to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak, more victims may be added to the total.
Of the 24 infected people who provided information to investigators, 22 said they ate Italian-style meats before feeling sick. Among the 15 who remembered the specific product, 14 had purchased Fratelli Beretta brand prepacked uncured antipasto trays.
Last year, an outbreak of listeria tied to Italian-style deli meats resulted in one death. A specific type of meat or common supplier was never identified.
Recommendations to consumers
Fratelli Beretta USA Inc., a New Jersey company, recalled approximately 862,000 pounds of meat sold in 24-oz. trays containing two 12-oz packages of “Fratelli Beretta UNCURED ANTIPASTO PROSCIUTTO, SOPPRESSATA, MILANO SALAMI & COPPA” with “best by” dates of Aug. 27, 2021, through Feb. 11, 2022, and UPC code 073541305316. The recalled trays have establishment number “EST.7543B” printed next to the “best by” date. The products were sold nationwide in vacuum-sealed plastic packages.
