WASHINGTON, Feb. 28,
2001-- Liberty Richter, a Saddle Brook, N.J., firm, is voluntarily
recalling approximately 3,700 pounds of imported Hungarian salami 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 "PICK
HUNGARIAN SALAMI" in 2.75 lb. sticks and bears the code
"L23" on the label.
The salami was produced in Hungary on Jan. 23,
and distributed to retail establishments, including delis, in California,
Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
"Because of the potential for foodborne
illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Thomas J.
Billy, FSIS administrator. "Purchasers of salami packaged at the
retail level may wish to ask if they received the recalled salami."
FSIS discovered the problem through its routine
import monitoring program for Listeria monocytogenes.
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 illness
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Consumers or media with questions about the
recall may contact Kathie Gibbs Borkowski, Division Vice President of
Operations at Liberty Richter, (201) 843-8900.
Consumers with 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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