A food safety concern has prompted the recall of hundreds of pounds of meat products sold at various Twin Cities co-op grocery stores and served in various Minneapolis dining spots.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture on Wednesday alerted consumers to avoid eating specific lots of beef and pork, pepper sticks and other pork products produced by the Belgrade Meat Center, of Belgrade, in central Minnesota, after routine sampling discovered listeria bacteria.

The department has received no reports of illness connected to the products. Investigators are trying to determine the source of the contamination.

About 280 pounds of Belgrade Meat products were distributed under the Pastures A Plenty label. These recalled products include:

• Uncured smoked breakfast links at Linden Hills Coop in Minneapolis and Whole Foods in Duluth. The products are also served in south Minneapolis at Bryant-Lake Bowl, Café Barbette and Gigi Café.

• Uncured pork wieners distributed to Seward Co-op in Minneapolis, Mississippi Market at its Selby Avenue and West 7th locations in St. Paul, and at the River Market in Stillwater.

• Uncured pork wieners and uncured smoked bratwurst served at Natedogs Mobile Food Cart in the Twin Cities area.

The pepper sticks, 20 pounds in all, were sold at the meat center's retail store in Belgrade. Consumers are asked to return packages with lot number 318130 to the store for a refund.

People who believe they may have become ill from the products should contact a health care provider. For more information about the recall, contact the Belgrade Meat Center at 1-320-254-8287 or Pastures A Plenty at 1-320-367-2061.

Those who do fall ill to listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease, can suffer from fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. It can sometimes cause fatal infections in infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482