NOW WE HAVE A RECALL OF LISTERIA-CONTAMINATED SAUSAGE

Things have been quiet for the last few weeks on the U.S. food recall front. I've noticed only a few recalls because of undeclared allergens or mislabeling. Nothing much has happened with bacteria or other food-poisoning related threats. But now we have another one of those scares with ready-to-eat foods because of Listeria bacteria being discovered.

It's sausage this time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Southside Market & BBQ, of Elgin, Texas, is recalling approx. 2,373 pounds of ready-to-eat "Original Beef Sausage" and "Hot Recipe Beef Sausage" products.

FSIS turned up this dangerous Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in the sausage products during routine testing. The sausage has been distributed to retail warehouses in Texas, as well as through internet sales to California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas. And, from there, probably already into the marketplace.

Watch out pregnant women and anyone else who has a weak immune system. You are at most risk. The usual symptoms of Listeriosis are: high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Don't confuse it with the 'flu.

To your good health,

TSF