Minnesota company recalls bologna, sausage after Listeria risk discovered

During a recent routine inspection, Minnesota officials discovered bologna and sausage products packaged under the Ruck’s Meat Processing and Tollefson Family Pork brands could be contaminated with Listeria.

The producer, Ruck’s Meat Processing of Belle Plaine, MN, recalled an undisclosed amount of the meat products, according to a recall notice posted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Inspectors from the department reported the recalled products were improperly processed and as a result could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

“Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider. Consumers who purchased this product should throw it away or return it to the store. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Ruck’s Meat Processing at 952-873-2848,” according to the notice.

All of the products subject to the recall have the establishment number “8921” printed inside the State of Minnesota mark of inspection on their labels. The products also have a packed on date code of “10-26-2018” on their labels. 

Neither the company nor the state department had received reports of any adverse reactions or illnesses related to consumption of the recalled meat, but it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms to develop.

Therefore, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled bologna or sausage should monitor themselves in the coming weeks for symptoms of listeriosis.

Consumers can identify the recalled products by looking for the following label information:  

• Ring Bologna sold from Ruck’s Processing retail store in Belle Plaine and sold to Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store in Jordan, MN;
• Tollefson Family Pork Polish sausage sold at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market;
• Tollefson Family Pork Rex Smoked Breakfast Sausage sold at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market; and
• Tollefson Family Pork Smoked Breakfast Sausage sold at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market.

Advice to consumers
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

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