WASHINGTON, May 24, 2000--Midwest Sausage Corp., a Hamtramck, Mich., firm,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,800 pounds of franks that may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The products being recalled have a "sell-by" date of 7/16/00
on the label, and all package labels bear "Est. 10216" inside
the USDA seal of inspection. The following products are being recalled:
- "Blue Ribbon" brand "Beef Franks," 2 l/2 pound
packages;
- "Dutch Brand Natural Casing Hot Franks," 5 pound packages;
and
- "Associated Food Distributors" brand "Beef Hot Dogs,
Chicken Added," 2 pound packages.
The products were produced on May 16, and distributed to grocers in
Michigan and in the Chicago area.
"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 Margaret O’K. Glavin, FSIS
associate administrator.
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.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Howard
Weinberger, president of Midwest Sausage Corp., at (313) 875-8183.
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, although recorded
messages are available 24 hours a day.
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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. |