WASHINGTON, April 12, 2001–Bar-S Foods
Co., is voluntarily recalling approximately 14.5 million pounds of
ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, produced at its Clinton, Okla.,
establishment, that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
announced today. Products being recalled include luncheon meats, whole
hams, sausages, hot dogs, corn dogs, and various others.
All products produced at the Clinton facility, with the exception of
cook-in-bag products, are being recalled. The products bear code "EST
471" or "EST P-471" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
Products were produced prior to March 30, 2001 and packages are marked
"USE BY JUN 07 01" or earlier.
The products being recalled include meat and poultry products with the
following brand names:
"Bar-S"
"Bar-S Extra Lean"
"Coronado"
"Chuck Wagon"
"E-Z Carve"
"Thrifty"
Also included are all "Bar-S" 1 lb. and 3 lb. packages of
corn dogs with the establishment number "P-213" or
"P-1843" on the package.
A
complete list of recalled products, provided by the company, is
attached.
The products were distributed to retail establishments, delis, and
institutions nationwide and shipped to Japan, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico,
and the South Pacific.
"Because of the potential for foodborne
illness, we urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers to
see if they have purchased any of these products," said Thomas J.
Billy, FSIS administrator. "If they find the recalled products,
consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase.
Consumers may also wish to ask delis and restaurants they patronize if
they purchased products that are subject to the recall."
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological testing. The
Clinton plant has been voluntarily closed since March 29, 2001.
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 Leslie Pellillo,
director of marketing, Bar-S Foods Co., at (602) 285-5293. Media with
questions may contact Tom Weinman, vice president administration, Bar-S
Foods Co., at (602) 264-7272.
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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