WASHINGTON, April 17, 2002 – A.L. Duck Jr. Inc., a Zuni, Va., establishment,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 190 pounds of fresh, ready-to-eat
souse loaf 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 "DUCK'S Souse
Loaf" distributed in 6 lb. boxes. Each box bears a date code "APR 12," "APR
15," or "APR 16," as well as the establishment code "EST. 6605" inside the
USDA seal of inspection. Once the product reaches retail stores, it is
separated into packages of various sizes marked only with the label "DUCK's
Souse Loaf."
The souse loaf was produced on April 9 and
distributed to retail stores in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Ronald Hicks, acting FSIS
administrator. "Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to
eat it but to 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.
Consumers and media with questions about the
recall may contact Brenda Redd, owner, A.L Duck Jr. Inc., at (757) 562-2387.
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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