California Firm Recalls Turkey Breast For Mislabeling

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2002--Nonna's Kitchen, a San Francisco, Calif., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 150 pounds of fresh, ready-to-eat turkey breast for mislabeling, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are 4-oz, vacuum-packed packages of "COLUMBUS SALAME COMPANY PEPPERED TURKEY BREAST, COATED WITH BLACK PEPPER." Each package bears the code "382812" and the sell-by date "USE BY NOV 22 02." The establishment code "EST. P-6430" appears inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The product was produced on Oct. 7, 2002 and distributed to retail stores in California, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington state.

The product labeled as turkey breast actually contains cured pork loin.

"FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry McKee, FSIS administrator. "Consumers who have concerns about the misbranding of this product should return it to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered by the company.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Eugene "Duff" Raggio, vice president of manufacturing, at (650) 745-1819.

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

FSIS AND LABELS

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555 or visit 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.