WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2002 – S & C Beef Processors, LLC, a Montgomery, Ala.,
firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 30,700 pounds of cooked fajita
chicken strips that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
announced today.
The products subject to recall are:
- 10-pound cases of "PIERCE Fajita Seasoned Boneless, Skinless Chicken
Strips with Grill Marks Added" marked with a package code beginning with
"4A01298" or "4B01298," followed by two digits, and ending with "P19055."
Each case contains two 5-pound bags marked with a code of "298P19055."
- 10-pound cases of "PIERCE Fajita Seasoned Chicken Thigh Strips with
Grill Marks Added" marked with a package code beginning with "4B01298,"
followed by two digits, and ending with "P19055." Each case contains two
5-pound bags marked with a code of "298P19055."
Each case label also bears "P-19055" inside the
USDA seal of inspection.
The fajita chicken strips were produced on Oct.
25, 2001, and distributed by ConAgra Poultry Foodservice to food service
establishments nationwide.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Ronald Hicks, acting FSIS
administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if meals prepared with fajita chicken
strips contain the recalled product."
The company discovered the problem and reported
it to FSIS.
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, sever 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 illnesses
associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Media with questions about the recall may contact
Jim Herlihy, S & C Beef Processors consumer affairs, at (970) 506-8052.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Elaine Bourne, ConAgra
Poultry consumer affairs, at (800) 414-7500.
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.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |
LISTERIA PRECAUTIONS
People at risk for
listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should:
Reheat until steaming hot the following
types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry
sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can
help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat
them.
Wash hands with hot, soapy water after
handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash
cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that
might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie,
Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed
cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.
Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat
foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.
Observe all expiration dates for
perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat. |