Massachusetts Consumers: Take Care in the Deli Department–Rhode Island Company Recalls Salami Products Due to Salmonella Risk

By Breakstone, White & Gluck | January 28, 2010

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Daniele International, with operations in Rhode Island, has recalled 1,240,000 lbs of ready-to-eat Italian sausage products currently in commerce due to risk of salmonella contamination. The recalled products include salami coated with black pepper.

The recall is the result of a multi-agency investigation into a salmonella breakout in several states. While searching for the defective food agent causing the outbreak, FSIS discovered a strain of salmonella in a Daniele International sample product.  The tested product is similar to what people reported eating prior to becoming ill, but a direct link has not been established. 

The strain of salmonella found in the tested product does not match the strain being investigated.   In addition to recalling the ready-to-eat products, Daniele International presented information to FSIS and voluntarily recalled all products in commerce associated with black pepper, which the company believes is a possible source of contamination. 

Eating products contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses.  The symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominable cramps, and fever within 8 to 72 hours of comsumption.  Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting for up to a week.  Salmonella infections can be life-threatening to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

The specific products recalled all carry a USDA mark of inspection bearing establishment numbers “EST. 9992” or “EST. 54.”.  The following products can be returned to the retailer for a full refund:

  • 10-ounce packages of “DANIELE NATURALE SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER.”
  • Catch weight packages of “DANIELE PEPPER SALAME.”
  • 9-ounce packages of “BLACK BEAR OF THE BLACK FOREST BABY GENOA PEPPER SALAME.”
  • 20-ounce packages of “DANIELE DELI SELECTION, GENOA SALAME, SMOKED SALAME, PEPPERED SALAME, RUSTIC SALAME.”
  • 340- and 454-gram packages of “DANIELE SURTIDO FINO ITALIANO, SALAMI GENOA CON PIMIENTA, LOMO CAPOCOLLO, SALAMI CALABRESE.”
  • 16-ounce packages of “DANIELE ITALIAN BRAND GOURMET PACK, HOT CALABRESE, PEPPER SALAME, HOT CAPOCOLLO.”
  • 8-ounce packages of “DIETZ & WATSON ARTISAN COLLECTION PARTY PLATTER PACK, HOT CALABRESE, PEPPER SALAME, HOT CAPOCOLLO.”
  • 8-ounce packages of “DANIELE ITALIAN BRAND GOURMET PACK, HOT CALABRESE, PEPPER SALAME, HOT CAPOCOLLO.”
  • 16-ounce packages of “DANIELE GOURMET COMBO PACK, PEPPER SALAME, CAPOCOLLO, CALABRESE.”
  • 500-gram packages of “DANIELE ITALIAN BRAND GOURMET PACK EMBALLAGE ASSORTI GOURMET ITALIEN, HOT CALABRESE, PEPPER SALAME, CALABRESE PIQUANT, SALAMI AU POIVRE, HOT CAPOCOLLO, CAPOCOLLO PIQUANT.”
  • 8-ounce packages of “BOAR’S HEAD BRAND ALL NATURAL SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER.”
  • Catch weight packages of “DIETZ & WATSON ARTISAN COLLECTION, BABY GENOA PEPPER SALAME, MADE WITH 100% PORK COATED WITH BLACK PEPPER AND PORK FAT.”
  • 20-ounce variety packages of “DANIELE DELI SELECTION, GENOA SALAME, SWEET SOPRESSATA, PEPPERED GENOA, MILANO SALAME.”
  • 21-ounce variety packages of “DANIELE GOURMET ITALIAN DELI SELECTION, SWEET SOPRESSATA SALAMI, PEPPERED GENOA SALAMI, HOT SOPRESSATA SALAMI, MILANO SALAMI, SALAMI SOPRESSATA DOUX, SALAMI GENOA POIVRÉ, SALAMI SOPRESSATA PIQUANT, SALAMI MILANO.”
  • 7-ounce packages of “DANIELE SALAME BITES PEPPER SALAME.”
  • 14-ounce packages of “DANIELE GOURMET ITALIAN DELI SELECTION ASSORTMENT DE FINES CHARCUTERIE ITALIENNE, SWEET SOPRESSATA SALAMI, MILANO SALAMI, SALAMI SOPRESSATA DOUX, SALAMI MILANO.”
  • Catch weight packages of “DANIELE NATURALE SALAME COATED WITH COARSE BLACK PEPPER.”
  • 32-ounce variety packages of “DANIELE DELI SELECTION, GENOA SALAME, SWEET SOPRESSATA, PEPPERED GENOA, MILANO SALAME.”

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    For more information on the on-going investigation into the multi-state salmonella investigation, see the Center for Disease Control’s website.  For a list of retailers that sold recalled products, see the FSIS recall website.  Consumers with questions about food safety can ask a virtual FSIS representative on the Ask Karen website.  Live chat services are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (except Federal Holidays).

    What to Do if You Have Suffered Injury Due to a Defective Food Product

    There are several important steps that must be taken immediately if a defective food product is suspected of causing an injury or death. If any of the food product is left over, it must be preserved and not disposed of.  You should consult with an experienced products liability attorney.  Notice should be given to seller(s) and manufacturer(s) of the product. 

    If you have suffered an injury as the result of a contaminated food product, please contact the Boston firm Breakstone, White and Gluck.  The attorneys have decades of experience in these types of cases, and will provide a free consultation. Call toll free at 800-379-1244 for assistance with your case. 

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