Daniele may have initiated its massive recall of 1.24 million pounds of salami too late. As word of the recall reached the public last week, many people sickened by salmonella are now able to identify the source of the dangerous bacteria. According to KGW of Portland, Oregon, the contamination of Daniele’s salami has resulted in 184 cases of salmonella poisoning nationwide. The retailer where the contaminated salami was most often purchased is Costco. Due to salami’s long shelf life, the contaminated products have been present in food retail stores across the country for many months. The first cases of salmonellosis occurred in the summer of 2009. The contamination hadn’t been discovered until a few weeks ago during the investigation of another salmonella outbreak. The strain of salmonella discovered in the sample of Daniele salami was found to be different than the strain for which officials were initially testing. Once the new strain of salmonella was discovered, investigators immediately contacted Daniele and began a nationwide recall of all salami products. The source of the bacteria is still under investigation; however, officials believe it to be the ground black pepper used to season the salami products and not the salami meat itself. Daniele spokesman Jason Maloni told the Associated Press, “there’s no evidence that points to us” as the source of the bacteria. Two of the three Daniele plants have been tested and are free of salmonella. All recalled salami products contain a USDA inspection label with the establishment numbers “EST. 9992” and “EST. 54.” Purchasers of salami with the aforementioned establishment numbers are being instructed to return the product for a full refund. Contact a health provider immediately if you or a loved one have consumed this product. Daniele Foods has set up a hot line for consumers or distributors at (888) 345-4160.