WASHINGTON, March 6, 2002--Farmland Foods Inc, a Wichita, Kan., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 580 pounds of fresh chicken and pork luncheon loaf that was incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are 8-ounce packages of "Luncheon Loaf Made with Chicken and Pork." Each package bears the date "USE BY MAY 13" and a code "EST. P-2122 2E13," "EST. P-2122 7E09," or "EST. P-21227E13." The packages also bear the establishment code "P-2122" located inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The product was produced between Feb. 19 and Feb. 24, 2002 and distributed to retail establishments in Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Virginia and Puerto Rico.

The product label incorrectly listed sodium as an ingredient instead of sodium nitrite.

"FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the recall," said Ronald Hicks, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers who have concerns about the mislabeled product should return it to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered and reported to FSIS by Farmland Foods Inc.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Phil Pletcher, manager of quality assurance, Farmland Foods Inc., at (712) 263-7470. Media with questions may contact Sherlyn Manson, director of corporate communications, Farmland Foods Inc., at (816) 713-6230.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from l0 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

FSIS requires that labels must be informative, truthful, and accurate.

FSIS is responsible for verifying that labels bear mandatory features and other required information in a conspicuous and legible manner.

FSIS wants to ensure that incorrectly labeled products are kept out of consumers’ hands by identifying and removing them from the marketplace as quickly and efficiently as possible.

FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the possibility of economic adulteration and have sufficient information to identify such mislabeled products and take action.