There is no peace for theAlba Sandwiches Company which after having been the subject of a major recall is now facing a new problem for some of its products. In fact, the Ministry of Health, in its monitoring of foods present in supermarkets, has reported the possible risk of presence of Listeria in a product from the company in Faggiano, in the province of Taranto, inviting those who purchased it not to eat or consume it to avoid the risk of infection.
The lots affected by the recall
The subject of a recall by the Ministry of Health is theHot Snack BBQa burger sold in various supermarkets in Italy. It is a sandwich with hamburger, crispy bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce that is ready in just 2 minutes in the microwave, a soft sandwich easy to prepare and ready to be eaten immediately.
Produced by Alba Tramezzini Spa of via Ettore Maiorana 2 in Faggiano, Taranto, already the “victim” of a major recall, the product is said to be at risk due to the “possible presence of Listeria”.
The Ministry, underlining that “Do not consume the product” and to bring it back to the point of sale, he said that the lots involved are three:
For the expiration date, you need to see the relevant batch indicated, but these are 195 gram packs of Hot Snack BBQ.
Listeria, symptoms and risks
Eating foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can have serious consequences for human health. The bacterium, if ingested, can cause a disease known as listeriosis, whose effects range from mild symptoms to life-threatening complications.
Mild symptoms include:
- fever;
- diarrhea;
- nausea and vomit;
- muscle pain;
- flu-like symptoms.
In severe symptoms, however:
- meningitis;
- encephalitis;
- septicemia;
- miscarriages and premature births.
In addition, some people are more at risk. These include pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly.
The diagnosis of listeriosis is usually confirmed by blood or cerebrospinal fluid tests. The main treatment is antibiotics, administered promptly to reduce the risk of serious complications. In more serious cases, hospitalization is also necessary.
But as always, prevention is better than cure. Prevention of listeriosis requires proper handling and cooking of food, because it is essential to thoroughly cook meat and fish, as well as avoiding the consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheeses produced with it, to avoid any type of infection.
Kitchen hygiene also plays a crucial role, as fruit and vegetables must be washed thoroughly and surfaces and utensils must be cleaned after handling raw foods to prevent contamination.
The Ministry’s controls
Food safety is an aspect that is given priority by the Ministry of Health, which monitors as best it can the quality of products sold in supermarkets and reports withdrawals or recalls through its website.
Specifically, this mechanism is possible thanks to food sector operators (OSA) who have the obligation to inform their customers of any non-compliance found in the foods they place on the market and to withdraw a product from the market if it is not in compliance.
In addition to the recall, if the product has already been sold to the consumer, the Osa must provide for the recall, that is, it must inform consumers about the risky products, also by means of signs to be placed in the points of sale, and publish the recall in the specific area of the Ministry of Health portal.
