Hot Dog Recall Affects Area

The Newtown Health District was notified Wednesday that Marathon Enterprises of East Rutherford, N.J. is recalling approximately 2 million pounds of frankfurters that were produced at a plant in the Bronx, N.Y. because of contamination with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The product was sold under the names Sabrett and Western Beef skinless beef frankfurters in 16 ounce and 5 pound packages.

According to the Department of Consumer Protection, the product was shipped to Costco Wholesale in Brookfield, BJ’s Wholesale on the Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield, and Sam’s Club in Manchester. The plant voluntarily closed on October 14 and no other product has been distributed since then.

So far no illnesses have been associated with the product, according to the State Department of Public Health. However, the company is working with the Centers for Disease Control and the states involved in investigation of listeriosis cases to determine if there is a possible link. Symptoms of listeroisis range from a mild fever to flu-like symptoms but the bacterial infection is especially dangerous to pregnant women, who can transfer the infection to the fetus.

“Check your freezer and if you have those hotdogs in there, get rid of them,” advised Newtown Heath District Director Mark Cooper.

Consumers may return the frankfurters to the store where purchased for a refund.