WASHINGTON, April 26, 2002 – Momence Packing Company, a Momence, Ill., firm, is voluntarily
recalling approximately 7,300 pounds of fresh bratwurst that may be contaminated with pieces
of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced
today.
The products subject to recall are 1.24 pound trays of "VILLAGE
MARKET BRATWURST." Each package bears a code "9AEJA" or "9BEJA" as well as the establishment
code "EST. 1647" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The bratwurst was produced on March 5 and distributed to retail
stores nationwide.
"Because of the potential for injury, we want consumers to
be aware of the recall," said William Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers
who have concerns about the product are urged not to eat it and to return it to the place
of purchase."
Momence Packing Company notified FSIS after receiving a customer
complaint.
FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption
of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a physician.
Media with questions about the recall may contact Harry
Cherkinian, company spokesperson with Zigman, Joseph, Stephenson at (414) 273-4680. Consumers
with questions may contact Jitendra Shah, quality assurance manager with Momence Packing
Company at (815) 472-6485.
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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