Gusto Packing recalls sliced, spiral ham for possible listeria

Gusto Packing, in Montgomery, Ill., recalled 67,113 pounds of sliced, spiral ham products due to concerns about possible listeria, officials say. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service says the hams were shipped to wholesalers for further distribution in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, while others were exported to Canada. The following products are subject to recall: -- 45.5-pound cases, with six individual sized hams each labeled "Centrella Signature, Hardwood Hickory Smoked, Spiral Sliced Ham with Natural Juices" with the case code "71292603304," packaged on Nov. 29, 2013, having a use or freeze by date of "02/06/14." -- 45.8-lb. cases, with six individual sized hams each labeled "Amish Valley, Fully Cooked, Hickory Smoked Spiral Sliced Ham" with the case code "71292645104," packaged on Nov. 29, 2013, having a use or freeze by date of "02/06/14." -- 45.8-lb. cases, with six individual sized hams each labeled "Amish Valley, Fully Cooked, Hickory Smoked Spiral Sliced Ham" with the case code "71292645104," packaged on Nov. 30, 2013, having a use or freeze by date of "02/06/14." -- 31.6-lb. cases, with four individual sized hams each labeled "Ripple Creek Farms, Fully Cooked, Ready To Eat, Hickory Smoked, Spiral Sliced Ham" with the case code "71292603312," packaged on Nov. 30, 2013, having a best before date of "2014 FE 13." Packaging labels bear the establishment number "EST. 2516" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The problem was discovered when Gusto Packing's internal sampling program found some of its products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Those products were frozen and held for reconditioning. Later, Gusto Packing found that some of those ham products inadvertently shipped and the company then informed FSIS. FSIS and the company received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider, the FSIS says. 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. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact the Gusto Packing customer service hotline toll free at 1-877-984-8786.