Kowalski's recalls some ham over bacteria threat

Kowalski's Market has eight Twin Cities stores
Kowalski's Market has eight Twin Cities stores.
MPR Photo/Martin Moylan

Some hams sold at Kowalski's Markets have been voluntarily recalled due to risk of contamination from Listeria bacteria, which can cause illness, the market announced on its Web site this weekend.

Hams included in the recall are labeled "Kowalski's Signature Smoked Ham" with a sell-by date of 5/14/2010. As a precaution the store also recalled hams with sell-by dates between 4/23/2010 through 5/22/2010.

The recall does not affect the Kowalski's prepared Easter dinners in any way, according to the announcement on Kowalski's Web site.

The recalled hams were produced at Cannon Falls-based Lorentz Meats and distrivuted to Kowalski's Markets.

Lorentz Meats owner Mike Lorentz said the bacteria was found in a small portion of ham the company produces, but they decided to err on the side of caution.

"To err on the side of caution we decided to go ahead and do a recall of those and then do a market withdrawal so that anybody who is uncomfortable with the hams can bring them back to Kowalski's for a full refund," Lorentz said.

If a customer has purchased one of these hams they should return it to Kowalski's Markets for a full refund or call 651-755-2400 and Kowalski's will deliver a replacement ham.