Busseto Foods, a charcuterie company based in Illinois, has recalled approximately 11,000 pounds of ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products due to concerns over potential Salmonella contamination. The recall comes amidst an ongoing investigation into a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has now sickened at least 24 people across 14 states.
Timeline of the Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first announced on January 2nd that it was investigating a cluster of Salmonella cases across multiple states that could potentially be linked to charcuterie meats.
State health agencies began interviewing those affected in late December to try to identify any common food exposures. On January 3rd, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that it had identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella in a sample of the Busseto Charcuterie Sampler purchased from a Sam’s Club store in the state.
This prompted Busseto Foods to issue a recall for select charcuterie products on January 4th out of an abundance of caution. The company also ceased production and distribution of these items.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late December 2023 | Salmonella cases begin emerging in multiple states |
| January 2, 2024 | CDC announces investigation into outbreak |
| January 3, 2024 | MN links outbreak to Busseto product |
| January 4, 2024 | Busseto Foods issues recall |
Details of the Recall
The recall covers approximately 11,000 pounds of charcuterie meat products produced from July 18, 2022 through January 3, 2024. These were shipped to Sam’s Club stores across fourteen states including Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The recall involves the following two Busseto-branded products:
- Busseto Dry Cured Salami Charcuterie Sampler, 10 oz — lot code SH23, best by 07/18/2024
- Busseto Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella Charcuterie Sampler, 16 oz — lot code SL26, best by 06/26/2024
The products would have been labeled with the establishment number “EST. 47963” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Photos of product labels are available here.
Consumers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them and should throw them away or return them. The recall was initiated after multiple illnesses were reported and the outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in a package of the Busseto Charcuterie Sampler by Minnesota state health officials.
Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak Investigation
As of January 5th, a total of 24 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported across 14 states. Illness onset dates range from December 18, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
Six hospitalizations have been reported so far, but no deaths. State health agencies are continuing interviews to identify any additional cases and determine if there are other possible food vehicles for the outbreak.
The CDC notes that the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported since many people recover without medical care and are not tested. The age range for cases is from under 1 year to 72 years, with a median age of 36. Slightly over half of cases are female.
What is Salmonella and What Are the Risks
Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods including meat, poultry, eggs, and fish. Contamination often happens when juices from raw meat and poultry come into contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within 6 hours to 6 days after exposure. Illness usually lasts between 4 to 7 days.
While most individuals recover without treatment, Salmonella infection can pose higher risks to vulnerable populations like young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. In rare cases, it can lead to more severe illnesses.
What Should Consumers Do?
The CDC advises that anyone who purchased the recalled Busseto charcuterie products not consume them. The products should be thrown away in sealed containers or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
Consumers should also be aware of the possibility of cross-contamination within their homes. Thoroughly wash any containers, surfaces, utensils etc. that may have come in contact with the recalled meats using hot water and soap.
Anyone who believes they may have become ill from consuming these products should contact their healthcare provider and report the illness to their local health department. Signs of Salmonella infection include persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
The Salmonella outbreak remains under investigation by state and federal health officials along with food safety partners. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Consumers can check the CDC Salmonella outbreak page and the USDA recall page for the latest details.
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