Rhode Island health officials issue advisory about Farmstead food products, company releases statement
Home-canned foods
Image/Library of Congress
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is advising consumers not to eat select food products produced by Providence company, Farmstead Inc., saying the food was not produced using the required controls to prevent the production of the toxin that causes botulism and the growth of listeria.
This was after health officials initiated an investigation after receiving a tip, according to a HEALTH press release Friday.
Farmstead Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of jarred vegetables (8 or 16 oz. Ball jars), including carrots, beets, eggplant, zucchini, pickles, tomato jam. In addition, meat products, including chicken liver mousse and pork rillettes (4 oz. jars), produced by Farmstead Inc.
These jars have a screw-on metal lid with the name of the product, but do not contain production or date codes.
In addition, certain soft and semi-soft cheeses, raw milk cheeses, goat cheeses, and any cheeses that are labeled “Keep Refrigerated” and were sold at room temperature in the retail store are also being recalled.
D’Artagnan salami (labeled “Keep Refrigerated”) and Proscuitto, salamis, Liverwurst, pâtés, and other meats processed at the store are also being recalled because they were improperly processed.
No illnesses associated with these products have been reported at this time.
Farmstead issued a statement Friday saying they closed the retail side of the business while working together with the Department of Health to come to a satisfactory conclusion.
However, the company says it passed a health inspection in 2010 and it hasn’t changed its production methods since that time.
Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism. Foodborne botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking, breathing and swallowing. Weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.
Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health problem. . The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
Consumers who have any of these recalled products at home should discard them or return them to the store.
For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
