Multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Charcuterie sampler products

Two dozen people across 14 states are part of an outbreak caused by Salmonella I 4:I:- and linked to Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Sopressata, and Dry Coppa.

The people range in age from 16 to 91 years old. At lease five patients have been hospitalized. No one has died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Whole genome sequencing of bacteria from 23 patient samples predicted resistance to ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and sulfisoxazole. If antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may be difficult to treat.

Patients in this outbreak became sick between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 2023. Some of the implicated products have best-by dates up to April 27 this year, so additional illnesses could be identified.

Generally, for every patient identified with Salmonella infection, there are 29 who are not identified.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” according to the CDC.

On Jan. 3 Fratelli Beretta USA Inc., recalled 11,097 pounds of Busseto Foods brand ready-to-eat charcuterie meat products. The products were shipped to Sam’s Club distribution centers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas and were then distributed to other states.

Consumers can use the following information to determine whether they have the recalled products in their homes. Anyone with the recalled items should throw them away.

• 18-oz. plastic tray packages of “Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Soppressata, and Dry Coppa” LOT Code L075330300 and “best by” date on April 27, 2024. This product is sold as a twin pack with two 9-oz. packages.The products have the establishments numbers “EST. 7543B” inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection and “EST. #47967” on the package. See recall notice
  for photos of the products and more details.

As part of the investigation, public health officials in Minnesota tested a sample of the implicated product and found Salmonella I 4:I:- in an unopened package.

“One person from Minnesota reported becoming ill in December after eating one 9-oz. tray of the 18-oz. package of ‘Busseto Foods Charcuterie Sampler Prosciutto, Sweet Sopressata, and Dry Coppa.’ On Dec. 27, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected and tested a sample of the unopened 9-oz. tray sample from that ill person’s home. Testing identified Salmonella I 4:I:- in that sample, and whole genome sequencing is being conducted to determine if the Salmonella in these recalled charcuterie samplers is the same as the outbreak strain,” according to the CDC.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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