14 state Salmonella outbreak linked to charcuterie meats

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 24 illnesses from 14 states have been linked to Salmonella from charcuterie meats. As of Jan. 5, 2024, 5 have required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, 2023.

Salmonella was identified in an unopened sample of “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa” collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as a part of the investigation. Testing is being conducted to determine if the Salmonella in the sample is the outbreak strain. 

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 11 people interviewed, 6 reported eating a variety of ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products. Among 3 people who remembered the specific product or had shopper card records showing a purchase, 3 had “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa.”

According to the CDC, the investigation is ongoing to determine which individual component of the sampler may have been the source of contamination and whether similar products are contaminated.

On Jan. 3, 2024, Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc. recalled approximately 11,097 pounds of Busseto Foods brand ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products.

These items were shipped to Sam’s Club distribution centers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.

Recalled products:

• Busseto Charcuterie Sampler
  • 18-oz. plastic tray packages of “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa”
  • LOT Code L075330300 and “best by” date on April 27, 2024. This product is sold as a twin pack with two 9-oz. packages.
  • The products have the establishments numbers “EST. 7543B” inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection and “EST. #47967” on the package.

Consumers should check their fridge for recalled products. They should not eat them, instead, consumers should throw them away or return them to where they bought them. Consumers should wash surfaces and containers that may have touched the recalled product using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has handled any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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