WASHINGTON – Daniele International Inc., which has operations in Pascoag and Mapleville, R.I., is recalling approximately 1,240,000 lbs. of ready-to-eat varieties of Italian sausage products, including salami/salame, on fears they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall on Jan. 23.

The company is also recalling all products containing black pepper, which it believes is a possible source of contamination.


During the course of an ongoing investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo illnesses, F.S.I.S. became aware of the situation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, F.S.I.S., state health and agriculture departments and Daniele International are cooperating in this investigation.

Information about the multi-state outbreak posted on C.D.C.’s website (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella). While the investigation continues, a food vehicle(s) has yet to be definitively identified.

During the investigation, a product sample found in commerce was tested on behalf of a participating state department of health and found to contain Salmonella. The product tested was similar to products bought by customers who later became sick in the Montevideo investigation, but currently there is not a direct link.

The Salmonella strain in the tested product does not appear to be the Montevideo strain of interest and further testing of the sample is ongoing at a state health partner laboratory.