WASHINGTON, May 23, 2002 – PRG Packing Corp., doing business as Packing
Corp., Ferris, Stahl- Meyer, a Bronx, NY firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 77,000 pounds of ready-to-eat franks and bologna that may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The following products subject to recall were
produced on May 11 and were distributed to wholesale, food service, and
retail establishments in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
and Pennsylvania:
- 3-to-5-pound packages of "Stahl-Meyer BEEF Frankfurters, HICKORY SMOKE
FLAVORING ADDED." Each product bears "EST. 5281" inside the USDA mark of
inspection. Each package also bears a sell by date, "0714."
- 5-pound packages of "SABRETT SKINLESS BEEF FRANKFURTERS, HICKORY SMOKE
FLAVOR ADDED." Each package bears "EST. 5281" inside the USDA mark of
inspection. Each package also bears the sell by date, "AUG 11" or "AUG
12."
- 3.5-pound packages of "Stahl-Meyer’s Turkey Bologna." Each package
bears "P-5281" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each package also bears
the sell by date, "0714."
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall,
acting FSIS administrator. "If they find the recalled products, consumers
should not eat them, but return them to the point 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, 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 and consumers with questions about the
recall may contact Guillermo Gonzalez, company president, at (718) 328-0059.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone
the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline,
which is available to English and Spanish speaking callers, 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 |
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. |