WASHINGTON, June 17, 2002 – John Graves Food Service Inc., a Chillicothe,
Mo., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 10 pounds of
sliced ham that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
announced today.
The product being recalled is one 10-pound
package of "GRAVES MENU MAKER FOODS, 95% FAT FREE SLICED SMOKED HAM & WATER
PRODUCT." The package bears "EST. 8701" inside the USDA seal of inspection
as well as the case code, "11572."
The sliced ham was produced on June 6 and
supplied to a distributor. The distributor then shipped the product to one
customer operating a restaurant at a golf course in Chillicothe, Missouri.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall,
acting FSIS administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if meals prepared with
ham contain the recalled product."
The problem was discovered through routine
inspection.
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 consumer with questions about the
recall may contact Dave Williams, company operations manager, at (660)
646-6918.
Consumers with other food safety questions can
phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The
hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety
messages are available 24 hours a day.
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