Beebe Medical Center Alerts Our Community of a Reser’s Fine Foods Recall of Potentially Contaminated Prepared Salads

The Beebe Medical Center Dietary Department was notified of a national recall of prepared salads which may have been contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, commonly known as “Listeria.” It is possible that some of these products may have been consumed by people at the main hospital campus cafés and the Gull House beginning in mid-August until as recently as Thursday, October 24.   The foods that were served that were recalled are the following:

• Carrot / raisin salad
• Cucumber salad
• Pasta salad (Main Campus only)
• Macaroni salad (Gull House only)
• Potato Salad (Gull House only)
• Coleslaw (Gull House only)

On October 22nd, it was reported that Listeria had been found in the Reser’s Fine Foods manufacturing facility in Topeka, Kansas.  While it is uncertain if the products were contaminated at the Reser’s factory where they were prepared, we need to alert you to possible signs and symptoms of illness should these occur. 

Some people do not develop symptoms and would not need to be treated.  However, illness can be serious.  Persons who are most at risk of becoming ill include: the very young, the elderly, those with a weakened immune system, and pregnant women (to include risk to fetus or unborn infant).  Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, headache, loss of balance, and seizures.  Sometimes these symptoms are preceded by vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms most commonly occur 1 – 3 weeks after eating a product contaminated with Listeria but can even occur as early as 3 days to as long as 70 days after consumption. 

If symptoms do occur, see a healthcare provider immediately.  It is very important that you alert your physician that a recalled food product was eaten and exposure to Listeria may have occurred.  

For additional information about this recall, you may contact Reser’s Fine Foods customer support at (888)257-7913, or visit the website: http://www.resers.com/resers-product-recall-information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has issued an announcement about the Reser’s Fine Foods recall. This can be found on the website:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm371955.htm

The telephone number for the FDA is: (888)463-6332.

At Beebe Medical Center we care about the health and wellness of our patients, visitors and team members. At this time, no one has become ill. However, out of an abundance of caution, we believe that it is important that you are made aware of this recall and the symptoms that could possibly occur.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer center, and outpatient facilities at multiple sites providing lab, imaging, physical rehab services and walk-in care.  For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org