WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2003– Dakota Foods Inc., a Sioux Falls, S.D.,
establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,100 pounds of cooked
beef products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
announced today.
The products subject to recall are 30-pound cases
containing twelve 2.5-pound individual packages of "ORION, Quality Products
Through Quality People, COOKED SEASONED SLICED BEEF." Each case bears the
code "75718" and the establishment code "7096" inside the USDA seal of
inspection.
The products were produced on Nov. 6, 2002, and
distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Sioux Falls, S.D.,
and exported to Canada and Bahrain.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS
administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if their meals contain the recalled
product."
The problem was discovered through FSIS
microbiological testing prompted by a positive Listeria monocytogenes
result reported by Canadian officials.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal
disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause
high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also
lead to miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal
infections in children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Consumers with questions about the recall may
contact Jim Olson of Dakota Foods, quality assurance, at (605) 334-5332.
Media with questions about the recall may contact Steve Willis, law
department controller, at (605) 334-5332.
Consumers with other food safety questions can
phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The
hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety
messages are available 24 hours a day.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |