Hawaiin Pork Recall: Mays Kalua Brand Pork

A pork recall has been issued by Palama Holdings, LLC, of Kapolei, Hawaii, for over 4,500 pounds of fully cooked May’s Kalua Brand Pork, which could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The pork products, which were produced on August 4, 2008 and August 7, 2008, were sent to retailers and food service providers in the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Oahu and Kauai. The May’s Kalua Brand Pork was sold in individual resale bags as well as large packages intended for food service use.

Routine microbiological testing by the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service discovered that samples of the pork may be contaminated with the bacteria, which can cause listerosis, a rare and potentially fatal disease. There have been no confirmed reports of Listeria food poisoning associated with the pre-packaged pork, but the USDA classified the action as a Class I Recall, which implies that consumption of the product carries a risk of serious adverse reactions, which could lead to death.

The recalled Hawaii pork are packaged in cases labeled “May’s Kalua Brand Pork”. The recall applies to 16 ounce bags, as well as 10 pound cases that contaiin two 5 pound packages intended for food service use:

• 16 oz bags: “May’s Hawaii Kalua Brand Pork (with up to twelve percent solution added), fully cooked, smoke flavor added.” Bags contain an establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as freeze-by date of “9/17/08” or “9/20/08”
• 10 pound cases: “May’s Kalua Brand Pork” Cases bear establishment number “EST. 11077 inside the USDA mark of inspection and date code “21708” and a case code “325469”

Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful strain of bacteria that could cause severe food poisoning. Pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and AIDS patients are at a high risk of this illness. It may cause miscarriages, premature deliveries and stillbirths.

Symptoms of listerosis include fever, muscle aches and sometimes diarrhea and nausea. If the bacteria spread to the nervous system, it can cause symptoms such as a stiff neck, convulsions, loss of balance and severe headache. The illness has a 25% fatality rate and affects 2,500 Americans every year.