WASHINGTON, August 10, 2002– Russer Foods, a Buffalo, N.Y., establishment,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,300 pounds of ready-to-eat Italian
Loaf 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 cases
containing vacuum-packed bags of "RUSSER ITALIAN BRAND LOAF. Each package
bears the sell-by date "Sell By: OCT 30 02," and the establishment code
"EST. 5222" inside the USDA seal of inspection. Each case bears the Julian
date code "2142BNY0102."
The product was produced on Aug. 1, and
distributed to retail stores in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West
Virginia.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall,
acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators and
freezers for this product and return it to the point of purchase."
The problem was discovered through
microbiological testing conducted by Russer Foods.
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 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 with questions about the recall may contact
Gary Mickelson, public relations, Russer Foods, at (605) 235-2986. Consumers
with questions about the recall may contact Bruce Neumann, director of
quality assurance/food safety, Russer Foods, at (877) 427-6328.
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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