This year there have been recalls of ground beef products due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and now Listeria.  On December 25, 2007, the Maramont Corporation, a New York firm, recalled approximately 88 pounds of a beef patty product that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to a USDA-FSIS news release.

The following Maramont beef product is subject to recall:

• 2-oz packages of "BROILED BEEF PATTY (MICROWAVE)." The products were individually packaged and delivered from 17.25-pound cases. Each case label bears a lot code of "07352" and product number "2801." Each case label also bears the establishment number "EST. 5370" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The beef patty products were produced on December 18 and distributed on December 19 to schools in the Jersey City, New Jersey, area. We have recently settled a New Jersey food poisoning case for over 6 million dollars.

The problem was discovered through routine USDA-FSIS testing at the establishment. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

As is usually the case with Listeria, the recalled Maramont beef patties were pre-cooked.  According to the product description, Maramont suggested microwaving the patties to heat them up.  Microwaving is not generally effective in killing Listeria bacteria.  Therefore, if the beef patties were prepared using a microwave, there is a greater risk that someone who ate the beef patties will contract a Listeria infection (listeriosis). 

Because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, anyone who ate the recalled hamburgers will need to watch for symptoms of Listeria for 70 days after consumption.  Pregnant women are most at risk for contracting Listeria infections, called listeriosis, which can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and early deliveries.  Read about Listeria and pregnancy. 

If you or your child is diagnosed with listeriosis and would like to discuss a possible Maramont lawsuit, please contact us.  We are a nationally-recognized food safety law firm and represent victims of Listeria outbreaks throughout the United States.  To contact us, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s free case consultation form.