WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2002- Don Pedro's
Meats, a La Puente, Calif., establishment, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 22 pounds of dried, seasoned beef that may be contaminated
with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The product subject to recall is 5 lb. cases of "DON PEDRO'S
MEAT, BEEF CECINA 'SECA' CON CHILE, DRIED BEEF W/ CHILE, SEASONED BEEF."
Each case is marked with a production date of "02/04/02" and bears "EST.
20946" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The product was produced on Feb. 4 and distributed to retail
stores in California.
"Because of the potential for serious foodborne illness, we
want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret O'K. Glavin, acting
FSIS administrator. "Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not
to eat it and return it to the place of purchase."
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 illnesses associated with
consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should
contact a physician.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may
contact Israel Rodriguez, quality control manager, Don Pedro's Meats, at
(626) 336-8900.
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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