I don't know enough to say how this happened, but haven't we been having a lot of contaminated food stories lately?

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4958157

Denver company recalls sausage
By Steve Raabe
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 01/05/2007 04:47:39 PM MST


Denver-based Gold Star Sausage Co. is voluntarily recalling 15,514 pounds of potentially contaminated sausage products, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Friday.

The products may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease.

Recalled products include one-pound packages of Maverick Ranch beef franks with "sell by" dates of 2/14/07, 2/21/07 or 2/28/07; one-pound packages of Maverick Ranch buffalo franks with dates of 12/27/06, 1/3/07, 1/10/07, 2/14/07, 2/21/07 or 2/28/07; and five-pound packages of beef franks with product code MF55-0606-15 packaged on 12/09/06.

The products were distributed to retailers and institutions in 18 states including Colorado. The government said it has received no reports of illnesses.