286,000 pounds of meat, poultry recalled

updated 6:39 p.m. ET May 4, 2008

NEW YORK - A New York food company is recalling more than 286,000 pounds of meat and poultry because it might be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The voluntary recall includes several different brands of fresh and frozen products made by Gourmet Boutique, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Saturday.

Included are some types of chicken salad and sandwiches sold under the name Gourmet Boutique, and several frozen wraps and burritos sold under the names “Jan’s” and “Archer Farms.”

The problem was discovered through sampling by federal food safety inspectors and Florida agriculture officials, the USDA said.

There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled foods so far, but the bacteria can potentially cause Listeriosis, an illness that can cause high fever, headache and nausea. People with depressed immune systems could also suffer a fatal infection.

Gourmet Boutique said in a recorded phone message that it had made “environmental changes” at its plants to prevent a repeat of the problem.

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