WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2001--RPF Inc., an
Inglewood, Calif., firm, also doing business as Royal Palate Foods, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 650 pounds of frozen, kosher chicken
chow mein entrees 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 individually wrapped trays of
"Chicken Chow Mein Entree." Each 48-count case of entrees is
marked with a lot number of "F-H2048" and bears establishment
number "P-18465" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The entrees were produced on August 1 and distributed to correctional
facilities in California, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, and Washington.
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 Bill
Pinkerson, president, RPF Inc., at (310) 330-7701.
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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