WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2001–Watson’s Quality
Food Products Inc, a Blackwood, N.J. firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 2,100 pounds of chicken wings that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service announced today.
The chicken wings subject to recall were
produced on Jan. 9, and bear the establishment
number "EST. P-1343" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The
products subject to recall were distributed to institutions and
retail establishments in California and Pennsylvania.
Products subject to recall include:
-
"WATSON’S BUFFALO BRAND HOT
CHICKEN WINGS" in 10 lb. cases with a product code of 870012 and
a package code of 0091. Each 10 lb. case contains five - 2 lb.
packages marked with the product name and establishment number, but no
product or package code; and
-
"WATSON’S READY TO EAT FIRE EATERS
EXTRA HOT & SPICY CHICKEN WINGS" in 10 lb. cases with a
package code of 0091. Each 10 lb. case contains five - 2 lb. packages
marked with the product name and establishment number, but no package
code.
"Because of the potential hazard of
foodborne illness from consumption of poultry products contaminated with
harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes,
I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and
return it to the place of purchase," said Thomas Billy, FSIS
administrator. "Purchasers or consumers of chicken wings may also
wish to ask restaurants or places where they consume chicken if the
product or meal contains the recalled product."
The problem was
discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.
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 cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes
fatal infections in those with weak immune systems--infants, the frail or
elderly, and persons with chronic disease, with HIV infection, or taking
chemotherapy.
FSIS has received no reports of illness
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Consumers with questions about the recall may
contact Jeffrey Gentile, Watson’s Quality Food Product’s Quality
Assurance Manager, at (856) 227-0594. Media with questions may contact Ray
Buseman, Watson’s Quality Food Product’s Owner at (856) 227-0594.
Consumers with 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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