Zeigler has recalled 28,610 pounds of hot dogs because of the potentially harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.: JD Schein / PHOTO EDITOR
Approximately 28,610 pounds of Zeigler brand hot dogs were recalled because of potentially harmful bacteria. The recall started Nov. 8 and is ongoing to rid all distributors of the tainted product.
Most of Auburn’s big grocery store chains such as Bruno’s, Winn-Dixie, and Kroger were not affected by this recall, unlike other stores across Alabama and bordering states.
“Our brand is sold primarily in Alabama, but we do have distribution in some of Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida,” said Ken Fitzgerald, Zeigler company controller. “We sell this product to different grocery chains, and then they further distribute it to their stores. Basically anywhere there are retail grocery stores that carry Zeigler wieners could have had this particular product.”
Hot dogs were tainted with Listeria monocytogenes, which is a bacterium that causes Listeriosis.
Emily Metz, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, said the disease mostly affects infants and the elderly.
“Healthy people hardly contract it, and it can be eliminated by washing your hands, safely cleaning your meat and using a food thermometer,” Metz said.
Fitzgerald said no cases of illness have been reported.
Since time is crucial in finding these products, Zeigler is using the FSIS to help assure all of the company’s distribution centers are notified.
The FSIS also encourages everyone to practice good food safety to prevent food-associated illnesses.
“We always encourage people to safely cook their raw meat, wash their hands, practice good food safety, and keep the refrigerator at the proper temperature,” Metz said.
One local distributor of Zeigler products, the Winn-Dixie on South College Street, never had to worry about the tainted product being distributed.
“(The managers) sent us an e-mail, but they didn’t tell us the reason they were going to pull them,” said Adam Wilkins, a senior in finance and a meat cutter at Winn-Dixie. “We do carry those hot dogs, but we didn’t have any on the shelf.”
Fitzgerald said the company despite the recall, the company will continue striving to make quality products for its consumers.
“The main thing we’re concerned about is try to produce a quality product for our consumers, and we’re doing everything that we can to make certain that is what we do,” Fitzgerald said.
