1,300 TONS of Goya canned sausages and other brands recalled across the US over fears they could be contaminated with ‘foodborne pathogens’
Nearly 2.6million pounds of canned meat have been recalled for packaging issues that could cause the food to rotten – or allow pathogens to enter and infect it.
Conagra Brands, based in Fort Madison, Iowa, is recalling over the defects. Brands whose products were recalled include Goya, Kroger and Great Value meats.
In total, 18 products were affected. Products were produced between December 12 and January 12, and sold across the country.
Canned meat is shelf stable – unlike fresh or frozen meat – as the sealed-off can protect it from pathogens that cause it to rotten or be infected by pathogens. As long as the can itself remains in good shape, the canned meat can last decades.
Goya Vienna Sausages are among the 18 canned meat products recalled by the USDA over potential packaging issues. There are fears that damaged packaging could allow for foodborne illnesses to form
Leakage of fluids from the can, which was found in these cases, indicates the protection from spoilage is no longer present.
Meat will very quickly spoil if left unsealed and unrefrigerated.
The recall issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) comes days after 27 tons of deli meat were recalled by the agency for potential listeria contamination.
The USDA reports no cases of illness yet associated with this recall.
But, food safety experts at the agency are concerned the unsafe meats are currently sitting in the pantries of many Americans.
The packaging issues were detected when leakage came from certain cans.
They urge customers to check if recently purchased canned meats have a lot number of P4247 – and to throw them out or return them if so.
‘The cans subject to recall may have been damaged in a manner that is not readily apparent to consumers, which may allow foodborne pathogens to enter the cans,’ Conagra said in a statement.
Spoiled meat is often infected with foodborne bacteria such as Penicillium, Mucor, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Sporotrichium and Thamnidium.
Symptoms associated with infections from these bacteria include vomiting, nausea, headaches, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
A person may not feel symptoms of eating infected meat until days later.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 48million annual foodborne illnesses every year.
These cases are responsible for 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths every year, the agency reports.
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