Georgia Department of Agriculture Finds Listeria in Kroger Macaroni Salad

ATLANTA -- Discovery of Listeria monocytogenes by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in a sample of macaroni salad from a Kroger supermarket has led to the voluntary recall of the product, the state's Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said today.

KB Specialty Foods, in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, today announced the recall of Deli Chef Sour Cream and Cheese Macaroni Salad from some Kroger-owned supermarkets.

"Our food lab detected the bacteria in a sample taken from a 10-pound tub, labeled 'Best If Used By 11 27 03'," Irvin said. "However, the product was repackaged in smaller serving containers and anyone who bought the salad should check with the store to see if it is the affected product."

The sour cream and cheese macaroni salad being recalled was distributed through the deli service counters at Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana and Texas. The recall also includes Dillon Stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma; Baker's stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Michigan; Gerbes Stores in Missouri; Hilander stores in Illinois; Kessel stores in Michigan; and Owen's and Pay Less stores in Indiana.

Irvin pointed out that his department notified the company, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture so that the product could be recalled from all outlets.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease. The most common manifestation of listeriosis is meningitis, which has symptoms of high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems such as persons with chronic disease, AIDS or HIV infection or taking chemotherapy for cancer.

Source: Georgia Department of Agriculture