Meat recalls affecting both Wal-Mart and Tyson

— A federal agency said 380,000 pounds of possibly tainted deli meat products sold in sandwiches at Wal-Mart stores have been recalled by a food company in Buffalo.

The company making the recall is a subsidiary of Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc.

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Tuesday that roast beef and ham distributed to Wal-Mart delicatessens might be contaminated with Listeria bacteria.

Agency spokesman Gary Mickelson said no illnesses have been linked to the meats made by Zemco Industries and most have already been consumed. The sandwiches were removed from store shelves.

Affected Products

- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17800 1300.

- 28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17803 1300.

- 32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17804 1300.

- 25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST BEEF Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17805 1300.

Source: USDA

Mickelson said a retail sample collected in Georgia tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people.

The USDA news release said the deli meats were sold to delicatessens that used them in making Marketside Grab and Go sandwiches.

The USDA labeled the recall as Class I. According to USDA website a Class I recall is "a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

Upcoming Events