Wisconsin Firm Recalls Chicken Products for Possible Contamination with Plastic

WASHINGTON, Jan.11–Brakebush Brothers, Inc, a Westfield, Wisconsin, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 483,000 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall were produced between August 8 and November 30, 2000 and shipped to retail establishments in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and to wholesale establishments nationwide.

The product that consumers may have purchased at retail is "COUNTRY GOODNESS FULLY COOKED Breaded NUGGET SHAPED Chicken Breast Patties with rib meat." This product was packaged in trays with a "Use by Date" of January 9 or earlier. The product was also distributed in bulk at deli counters.

The products shipped to institutions and wholesale establishments in bulk packages are:

• 12 lb. boxes of "Country Goodness Cooked Breaded NUGGET SHAPED Chicken Breast Patties." Each box is marked with product code "5620" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "2790."

• 12 lb. boxes of "CN Cooked Breaded NUGGET SHAPED Chicken Breast Patties." Each box is marked with product code "5622" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "2210," "2790," "2850," "3120," or "3200."

• 10 lb. boxes of "CN Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast PATTIES." Each box is marked with product code "5912" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "3260" or "3320."

• 10 lb. boxes of "CHIK-LICIOUS HOAGIE SHAPED COOKED BREADED CHICKEN BREAST PATTIES with rib meat." Each box is marked with product code "5931" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "3260."

• 10 lb. boxes of "CHIK-LICIOUS COOKED BREADED CHICKEN BREAST PATTIES." Each box is marked with product code "5944" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "3260."

• 1,060 lb. boxes of "Fully Cooked Breaded NUGGET SHAPED Chicken Breast Patties." Each box is marked with product code "900485" and stamped with a nine digit code beginning with "2210."

"We urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers," said Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator. "If they find any of the recalled products, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered through consumer and retail complaints. No injuries have been reported. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the company at (800) 933-2121. Media with questions may contact Ron Irwin, Mueller Communications, at (800) 933-2121 or at (414) 390-5500.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov