WASHINGTON, Oct. 27-- Simmons Foods Inc.,
a Van Buren, Arkansas, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately
716,000 pounds of cooked, frozen chicken tenders that may contain milk
products undeclared on the label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
Milk products are a known allergen.
Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk products run the
risk of possible serious allergic reactions if they consume the product.
The products being recalled are 2.5 pound
bags of "SIMMONS Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders." Inside the
USDA seal of inspection, "P-20287" appears.
The product was produced between Apr. 7
and Oct. 25, 2000. On the side of each package is an identifying code. The
first four digits of the code date on each package subject to recall are
between 0098 and 0299, inclusive. The product was distributed to retail
stores nationwide.
"We urge consumers to check their
refrigerators and freezers," said Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator.
"If they find any of the products listed above and are allergic to
milk products, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point
of purchase."
The problem was discovered through routine
inspection.
Anyone concerned about an illness or
allergic reaction should contact a physician immediately.
Consumers and media with questions about
the recall may contact Doug Siemens, community relations manager, Simmons
Foods Inc., at (501) 524-8151, ext. 246.
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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