Florida Firm Recalls Sausage Products Because of Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2002 – La Bella Sausage Inc., a Brooksville, Fla., firm, is voluntarily recalling an undetermined amount of fresh sausage products that contain an undeclared allergen (soy), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall were distributed to hotels and restaurants in Florida. Each case bears the establishment number of "EST. 18726" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

All products were produced between Sept. 26, 2001 and Feb. 6, 2002. Each case is stamped with a production date code between "092601" to "020602."

The following products are in cases of various weights and sizes:

• "1 oz breakfast linkS, La Bella Sausage Co.;"
• "2 oz Breakfast pattie, La Bella Sausage Co."
• "2 oz BREAKFAST LINKS, La Bella Sausage Co;" and,
• "Breakfast Sausage, La Bella Sausage Co.;"
• "Arrezzio BULK ITALIAN MILD SAUSAGE;"
• "Arrezzio ITALIAN MILD ROPE SAUSAGE;"
• "Arrezzio ITALIAN MILD LINK SAUSAGE 4/1;"
• "Areezzio ITALIAN MILD LINK SAUSAGE 5/1;"
• "Areezzio ITALIAN HOT ROPE SAUSAGE;" and
• "ROBERTO’S MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE, La Bella Sausage Co."

Also subject to recall are the following fresh sausage products, which are packaged in 10-pound boxes. Indicated on each 10-pound box are checked boxes denoting whether the sausages are hot or mild, and whether the sausages are rope, link or bulk. Packages inside the 10-pound boxes are of various weights and sizes. They include:

• "La Bella MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE;"
• "La Bella HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE;"
• "Ottimo Mild Italian Sausage;"
• "Ottimo Hot Italian Sausage;"
• "Ottimo Due HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE;" and,
• "Ottimo Due MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE;"
• "CREMOSA ITALIAN SAUSAGE."

"FSIS wants consumers who are sensitive to soy protein to be aware of the recall," said Ronald Hicks, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers may wish to ask at hotels and restaurants if their meals contain the recalled product."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness or allergic reaction should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact George Kurppe, company president, or Claudia Barksdale, company secretary, at (352) 799-6301.

Consumers with other 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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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Consumers who have a food allergy or severe food sensitivity should always read ingredient labels. In restaurants, they should ask whether an allergy-causing ingredient is in the food.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food, usually within minutes after the food has been consumed.

Symptoms may include throat swelling, trouble breathing, or a rash.

Strictly avoiding the allergy-causing food is the only absolute way to avoid a reaction.

Several foods account for 90% of allergic reactions. They include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

Persons who have a severe, life-threatening food allergy should always carry, and know how to administer, prescription epinephrine.