WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2001 – West Liberty
Foods, a West Liberty, Iowa firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately
410,000 pounds of a ready-to-eat luncheon meat because they contain an
undeclared allergen (milk protein), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
Milk protein is a known allergen. Persons who have an allergy or severe
sensitivity to the milk protein run the risk of possible allergic
reactions if they consume this product.
The product being recalled is 12-ounce packages of "BUTTERBALL
Turkey Variety Pack." Each package bears the UPC code "45300
29022" on the back of the package and "P-5533" appears on
the label inside the USDA seal of inspection on the front of the package.
On the back of each package is a 3-line date code, which appears as
follows: "USE BY" on the first line, followed by
"P-5533" on the second line, and a date ranging from "OCT
18" through "NOV 25" on the third line.
The product was produced from July 30 through Sept. 5. It was
distributed to retail stores nationwide and was exported to Bermuda,
Dominican Republic, and Trinidad, West Indies.
"We urge consumers, especially those with known food allergies or
sensitivities, to check their refrigerators and freezers," said
Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator. "If they find any of the products
listed above, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point
of purchase."
The problem was discovered by the establishment, which then notified
FSIS. FSIS is not aware of any illnesses associated with consumption of
the product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact ASE Consumer
Products, Co. hotline number at (800) 414-4200. Media with questions may
contact Julie DeYoung, ASE Consumer Products, Co. director of
communications, at (630) 512-1513.
Consumers with other 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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