Local meat snack recall

VANLUE — Ridge Meats, 505 Buffalo Street, Vanlue, has voluntarily recalled 100 pounds of meat snack sticks that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The meat snack sticks were sold through the Arnold Vending Co., Inc., Tiffin, at FMT, Inc., 2000 Industrial Drive, and 1700 Fostoria Ave., both in Findlay. The recall includes four ounces packages containing "D&H Smokies with Cheddar Cheese Meat Snack Sticks 'Hot.'" Packing will include "78" as the establishment number inside the Ohio inspection mark. The packed date is July 11. The problem was discovered during a routine records verification procedure by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Division of Meat Inspection, according to the department. In a press release issued Saturday, the ODA said there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider. 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. 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. The ODA routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. There is a concern that the meat stick snacks being recalled may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) are posted on the ODA Meat Inspection Division website at: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/meat-inspection/recalls/.