WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2001—Rudolph Foods Company, a Lawrenceville, Ga., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 420 pounds of pork skin products because they contain undeclared coloring and flavoring ingredients, including monosodium glutamate (MSG), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in a variety of foods prepared at home, in restaurants, and by food processors. Some persons who have eaten foods containing MSG have reported adverse reactions.

The product being recalled is 2 1/8 oz., clear bags of "Frito Lay CHICHARRONES BAKEN-ETS BRAND FRIED PORK SKINS TRADITIONAL." Each bag bears package code "14A12952," establishment code "EST 1425," and a "GUARANTEED FRESH UNTIL PRINTED DATE" of "DEC 25".

The product was produced on Oct. 22, 2001, and distributed to retail establishments in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida.

"FSIS ensures that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled," said Maggie O’K. Glavin, FSIS acting administrator. "Consumers who have concerns about MSG should return the product to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered by a Frito Lay employee. Frito Lay contacted FSIS to initiate a product recall.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Lynn Markley, senior vice president, public affairs, Frito Lay, at (972) 334-2404. Consumers with questions may contact Cathy Dial, manager, consumer affairs, Frito Lay, at (972) 334-5022.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from l0 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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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

FSIS requires that labels must be informative, truthful, and accurate.

FSIS is responsible for verifying that labels bear mandatory features and other required information in a conspicuous and legible manner.

FSIS wants to ensure that incorrectly labeled products are kept out of consumers’ hands by identifying and removing them from the marketplace as quickly and efficiently as possible.

FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the possibility of economic adulteration and have sufficient information to identify such mislabeled products and take action.