WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2002 – PRG Packing Corp.,
a Bronx, N.Y. firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 3,400 pounds of turkey
frankfurters 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 one-pound
sealed packages of "Sweet Meadow Farms Brand
TURKEY FRANKFURTERS WITH HICKORY SMOKE
FLAVORING ADDED." The packages are marked with
"SELL BY AUG 20" and the labels bear "EST.
P-5281" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The one-pound packages are packed in 24 lb.
cases that bear a case code of "LOT 06170" and
"SELL BY AUG 20 02."
The
products were produced on June 19 and
distributed to wholesale establishments in
Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
"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, then consumers should not eat them,
but return them to the point of purchase."
PRG
Packing Corp. notified FSIS that it was
recalling the products based on a positive
test for Listeria monocytogenes from a
sample collected by the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets.
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 weakened immune
systems, such as infants, the frail or
elderly, persons with chronic disease, those
with HIV infection or under 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, president, PRG
Packing Corp, at (718) 328-0059. Questions
about the recall may also be directed to
Jessica Chittenden, director of
communications, N.Y. State Department of
Agriculture and Markets, at (518) 457-3136.
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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