Ripple Creek Farm Brand of Ham Recalled Due to Contamination

A brand of ham has been recalled recently due to possible listeria contamination, according to Over Easy Please.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that Overwaitea Food Group is recalling Ripple Creek Farm brand Hickory Smoked Spiral Sliced Ham due to possible listeria contamination. The product has been sold to consumers in both BC and Alberta. Hams of this kind were labeled with an expiration date of February 13, 2014. As a result, consumers are advised to check if they have purchased the recalled product and if they did, they are advised to return it to the store of their purchase.

Listeria-contaminated food may not look or smell bad but can nonetheless cause illness, including vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Those who have weak immune systems, the elderly and those who are pregnant are at a much higher risk. "Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection for the newborn or even stillbirth," according to the CFIA. "In severe cases of the illness, people may also die."

However, no illness in relation to the contamination of the ham has been reported as of late. Still, the recall by Gusto Packaging, a subsidiary of Butterball, LLC, saw the company warn that over 30,000 kilograms of spiral hams distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio under the Centrella Signature, Amish Valley and Ripple Creek Farms brands may be contaminated with listeria bacteria. In 2008, the same type of outbreak in Canada killed 22 people and risked 57 other individuals.