WASHINGTON — Federal health officials are expanding a warning about salmonella poisoning tied to charcuterie meat snack trays sold at Sam's Club and Costco stores.
At least 47 people in 22 states have been sickened and 10 people have been hospitalized after eating Busseto brand and Fratelli Beretta brand meats, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
The CDC had previously warned about one recalled lot of Busseto brand charcuterie sampler trays, but the agency now advises retailers and consumers not to eat, serve or sell any lots of the foods. They include the Busseto charcuterie sampler sold at Sam's Club and the Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta products sold at Costco.
The meat trays come in twin packs that include prosciutto, sweet soppressata, and dry coppa or black pepper-coated dry salami, Italian dry salami, dry coppa, and prosciutto.
Salmonella poisoning can cause severe illness, particularly in young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, the bacterial infection can be fatal.
According to the CDC, 11 of the 47 Salmonella cases identified so far were Ohio residents. There have also now been cases reported in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The first illness linked to this outbreak occurred on Nov. 20, CDC data shows.
The federal health agency warned that the true number of sick people is likely much higher than reported, because many recover without medical care and are never tested.