WASHINGTON, May 10, 2000--E.W. Mailhot Sausage Co., a Lewiston, Maine,
firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 210 pounds of pork spread that may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultures
Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The product subject to recall is
"Mailhots Best" brand "CRETONS PORK SPREAD" in 10-ounce plastic
cups and five-pound tin pans. The packages have a "sell by 0526" sticker on the
label, and "EST. 9662" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The pork spread was produced April 27 and distributed to the retail level in Maine, New
Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we urge consumers who have
purchased the suspect products not to eat them, but to return them to the point of
purchase," said Administrator Thomas J. Billy.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Roger Mailhot,
president, at (207) 786-2454.
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 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.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |
LISTERIA PRECAUTIONS
People at risk for
listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should:
Reheat until steaming hot the following
types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry
sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can
help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat
them.
Wash hands with hot, soapy water after
handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash
cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that
might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie,
Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed
cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.
Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat
foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.
Observe all expiration dates for perishable
items that are precooked or ready-to-eat. |