Busseto Foods has recalled over 11,000 pounds of ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall comes amid an ongoing investigation into a multistate salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 24 people across 14 states.
Salmonella Cases Lead to Product Recall
The outbreak first came to light in late December 2024 when a spike in salmonella cases was detected by health authorities. By January, state and federal officials had traced the illnesses back to charcuterie products produced by Busseto Foods and sold at Sam’s Club stores.
On January 4th, Busseto Foods issued a voluntary recall of their ‘Busseto Foods Premium Charcuterie Sampler’ trays after a positive salmonella test result. The recalled products were shipped to Sam’s Club stores across 14 states between December 23, 2024 and January 3, 2024.
So far, cases of illness linked to the outbreak have occurred in:
| State | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Ohio | 8 |
| Minnesota | 4 |
| New York | 2 |
| 10 other states | 1 case per state |
At least 5 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Health officials expect more cases may emerge in the coming weeks.
Details of the Recalled Products
The recall applies to all lot codes of Busseto Foods charcuterie sampler trays containing prosciutto, soppressata, coppa, and genoa salami. The 11-pound plastic wrapped trays were labeled “Premium Charcuterie Sampler by BUSSETTO” and sold exclusively at Sam’s Club stores.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised not to eat them and to throw them away or return them. The products can be identified by the establishment number “EST 18857A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Salmonella Infection Can Cause Serious Illness
Salmonella is a bacteria that can contaminate food and cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and fever. While most people recover on their own, salmonella infection can be serious or fatal for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Dr. Robert Tauxe of the CDC explained that “even though no one likes to get Salmonella, most healthy people don’t end up in the hospital.” However, this outbreak involves a strain that “has put over 20% of people in the hospital, so it’s behaving differently and more severely.”
Authorities are working with the company to investigate how the contamination occurred in order to prevent additional illnesses. This may include reviewing the supply chain, production practices, and testing records.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The CDC, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and state health partners are continuing to analyze data to determine if any additional products may be involved. Updates will be provided publicly when new information is available.
For now, consumers are urged to check their homes for the recalled products. Busseto Foods stated that they “take matters of food safety seriously” and “are working cooperatively with public health officials as they further investigate” the situation.
With the holidays over, health officials hope the risk of further exposures will decline. However they advise retailers and consumers to remain vigilant about properly storing, preparing, and consuming charcuterie meats to prevent foodborne illness. Signs point to the outbreak coming under control, but new cases may continue to emerge over the next several weeks.
What to Do If You Have Purchased the Recalled Products
Consumers who purchased affected products should not eat them. The charcuterie sampler trays can be returned to their local Sam’s Club for a full refund.
Those with questions can contact the company at 1-833-471-0578. Busseto Foods stated that “food safety is our first priority” and that they “deeply regret any impact to our consumers.”
Anyone experiencing salmonella symptoms after eating the recalled charcuterie meats should report their illness to their healthcare provider and local health department. Prompt testing and treatment may help prevent severe illness.
Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation into this outbreak continues.
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