WASHINGTON, April 25, 2002 – John Morrell & Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio firm,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 140,000 pounds of franks and hot dogs
that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
All products were produced on March 5, and distributed
to retail establishments nationwide.
The following products subject to recall bear "P-2564"
inside the USDA seal of inspection:
· 12-ounce packages of "FMV Serve 'N Save HOT DOGS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked
with a date code of "Sell by May 14,"
· 12-ounce packages of "Rath Black Hawk HOT DOGS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with
a date code of "Sell by May 14,"
· 12-ounce packages of "PEYTON'S FRANKS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date
code of "Sell by Jun 13," and
· 12-ounce packages of "Rodeo Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date code
of "Sell by Jun 13."
The following products subject to recall bear "EST. 296" inside the USDA seal of inspection:
· 16-ounce packages of "TOPS Franks BUN LENGTH" marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14,"
· 16-ounce packages of "Wilson Farms BUN LENGTH Franks" marked with a date code of "Sell
by May 14," and
· 10-pound boxes, each containing two 5-pound unmarked plastic bags, of "JOHN MORRELL
FOODSERVICE BLACK LABEL GOURMET BEEF FRANKS" marked with a date code of "064."
Additionally, 16-ounce packages of "JOHN MORRELL BUN LENGTH Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN AND
PORK," bearing "P-2564" inside the USDA seal of inspection and marked with a date code
of "Sell by May 14," were distributed to retail establishments nationwide and to
military commissaries.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want
consumers to be aware of the recall," said Linda Swacina, assistant
administrator. "If they find the recalled products, consumers should not eat them,
but return them to the point of purchase."
The problem was reported to FSIS by John Morrell & Co.
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, sever 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.
Media with questions about the recall may contact David Bartlett,
vice president, Rowan & Blewitt, Inc., at (703) 234-4428. Consumers with questions
about the recall may contact the John Morrell & Co. consumer hotline at (800) 414-0600.
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.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |