WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2002– Mr. Pizza Inc., an Anderson, Ind., establishment,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 210 pounds of fully cooked,
ready-to-eat pork luncheon meat that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service announced today.
The product subject to recall is 5 lb. packages
of "MR PIZZA, INC., SLICED SPICED LUNCHEON MEAT." Each package bears the
date code "11-20." In addition, each label bears the establishment code
"EST. 4235" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The product was produced on November 20 and
distributed to Pizza King establishments in northeastern Indiana.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
consumers should not eat this product," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS
administrator. "Diners at these establishments may wish to ask if their
meals contain the recalled product."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS
microbiological sampling.
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 children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Consumers and media with questions about the
recall may contact Rick Turner, company general manager, at (765) 643-7472.
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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