Product
list attached.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2002 –Jack Lambersky Poultry Company
Inc., doing business as J.L. Foods Company Inc., a Camden, N.J.,
establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 200,000 pounds of
fresh and frozen, ready-to-eat poultry products, mostly turkey and chicken
breasts, that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
announced today. The products, which are listed in the attachment, were
distributed to retail stores and institutions nationwide.
FSIS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been
conducting an ongoing investigation into the cause of the outbreak of
listeriosis that has sickened 50 people and resulted in seven deaths in
eight Northeastern states. Their efforts have revealed that some
ready-to-eat poultry products from Jack Lambersky Poultry Company Inc.,
produced between June 27 and July 3 were contaminated with a strain of Listeria
monocytogenes that is indistinguishable from that of the outbreak
victims. In addition to the recall, the establishment has voluntarily
suspended operations, pending the results of additional testing.
"Public health is our top priority," said Dr. Garry L. McKee,
FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators and
freezers for products involved in this recall and return them to the point
of purchase."
"I commend the work of the investigative teams from FSIS and the
CDC for their ongoing aggressive investigation," said Dr. Elsa Murano,
undersecretary for food safety. "Their combined efforts have been and
continue to be a critical partnership in determining the cause of the
outbreak."
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 infants, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Kenneth
Martin, general manager, at (800) 881-3250.
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.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |