Listeria causes ailment and even death, and could be transferred through common food items even if properly stored in cold facilities.
According to the company, the voluntary recall covered over 30 items shipped to various food service and retail outlets across the U.S. It included chicken salad and sandwiches under the brand Gourmet Boutique and frozen wraps and burritos branded as Jan's and Archer Farms.
The items recalled, specifically the fresh meat and poultry salad products were manufactured between April 19 and 24, while the frozen products had production dates listed between Oct. 23, 2007 to April 23, 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA found out about the tainted meat products during sampling by federal food safety inspectors and Florida agriculture officials.
Amy Reilly, spokeswoman for Gourmet Boutique, in a press statement quoted by Newsday, said, "As soon as we were notified Friday we pulled the items from our shelves... As an extra precaution, regardless of the sell-by dates, we took the products off shelves."
