WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert which includes sausage products produced by Crescent Springs, Ky.-based Bluegrass Provisions Co. that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not issued because the products are past their use or freeze by dates.

The problem was discovered by routine testing. Results showed one of the products was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The additional products may be affected by cross-contamination.

The ready-to-eat smoked sausage items were produced on Apr. 22, 2020. The following products subject to the public health alert are:

• 14-oz plastic packages containing 6 pieces of “BLUE GRASS METTWURST,” with a use or freeze by date of July 23, 2020.
• 14-oz plastic packages containing 6 pieces of “WALNUT CREEK FOODS Smoked Sausage,” with a use or freeze by date of July 23, 2020.
• 14-oz plastic packages containing 6 pieces of Lidl “SMOKED BRATWURST,” with a use or freeze by date of July 23, 2020.
• 14-oz plastic packages containing 6 pieces of Lidl “SMOKED BRATWURST WITH CHEESE,” with a use or freeze by date of July 23, 2020.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 7417” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to distributors and retail locations in Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia. 

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.