Wal-Mart pulls ready-made Tyson sandwiches from shelves

DENVER- Wal-Mart is pulling 380,000 pounds of Tyson Foods deli meat that may be contaminated with a bacteria that can cause food poisoning, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The meat from Zemco Industries in Buffalo, NY, was included in “Marketside Grab and Go” pre-made sandwiches that were distributed nationwide to Wal-Mart stores, including the discount retail chain’s Colorado stores.

The recalled sandwiches bear expiration dates ranging from Aug. 20 to Sept. 10 and include Marketside Grab and Go Black Forest Ham, Italian Hero, Angus Roast Beef and Smoke House sandwiches.

The recalled meat may contain the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease.

No reports of illness have been reported, but

The recall does not include meat products from Wal-Mart self-service delis or those in individual retail packages.

State health officials urge consumers who may have purchased the product to discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis; however, listeriosis can cause a high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections among those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, people with HIV infection or those undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider, according to the state health agency.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recall, but health officials say the problem was discovered after a retail sample collected in Georgia tested positive.