Canadian deli meats company has tainted products in U.S.

The Dept. of Agriculture is alerting consumers to potentially contaminated ready-to-eat deli meats that have tested positive for the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes.

According to a USDA release, the Food Safety and Inspection Service was notified by Health Canada that some Listeria-contaminated meats were probably exported to the U.S.

Many of these meats are sold at deli counters on the retail level, and typically only a retailer would be aware of the brand name. The meat was produced by Siena Foods LTD, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The following meats are included in the recall, but the release indicates more could be included in the recall: “Cacciatore Salami, Mild,” “Coppa,” “Prosciuttini,” “Prosciuttini Hot,” and “Prosciutto Cotto.”

The individually-wrapped meats have different weights but all have Best Before dates prior to June 22, 2010 and the Establishment number, “Est. 212.”

Consumers who believe they have these meats should contact their deli owners or managers and confirm the product information.