WASHINGTON, May 5, 2003– Blue Ridge Farms, Inc., a Park Forest, Ill., firm,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 400 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken
salad 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 5-lb. tubs of
"Blue Ridge Farms Made Fresh Daily Cajun Chicken Salad," packed in
individual cartons. Each tub and carton label has a bar code of
"38419096130" and is marked "USE BY 05/28/03." Each carton and tub also
bears the establishment code "P-21279" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The chicken salad was produced on April 29 and
distributed to retail stores in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and
Texas.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS
administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators for the recalled
product and return it to the point of purchase."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS
microbiological testing.
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, HIV infection or in chemotherapy.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Media with questions about the recall may contact
Richard Siegel, chief operating officer, at 708-748-4405. Consumers with
questions about the recall may contact David Monk, vice president of sales,
at 708-748-4405.
Consumers with 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.
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