WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service says a Jan. 23 nationwide recall of various brands of possibly contaminated salami products has been expanded.
The FSIS said Daniele International Inc. of Pascoag and Mapleville, R.I., expanded the recall to approximately 115,000 pounds of salami products that might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
The federal agency said the recall expansion followed the finding of salmonella in unopened salami products that were not subject to the January recall because they do not contain black pepper, initially believed the sole source of the bacteria.
Based on preliminary testing results, the company now believes crushed red pepper might also be a possible source of the salmonella bacteria, the FSIS said, noting the root cause of the contamination has not yet been determined.
The extended recall includes various salami products sold under the Daniele, Boar's Head and Dietz & Watson brand names with sell-by dates of Feb. 3-May 26.
Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially for those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and people with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy, the FSIS said.
Consumers with questions can contact the company at 888-345-4160.
