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Minnesota Firm Recalls Turkey Products
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WASHINGTON, March 15, 2002 – West Central Turkeys Inc., a Pelican Rapids, Minn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 23,000 pounds of fully cooked turkey products 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 were produced on Dec. 31, 2001. The following products subject to recall are 18 to 20-pound boxes of:
This product was distributed to delis and food service distributors in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington.
Also subject to recall are 10 to 12-pound boxes of:
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret O'K. Glavin, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers in these states may wish to ask if the turkey products they purchased at their supermarket delis were a part of the recall." 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, 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 illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Media with questions about the recall may contact Julie Craven, Vice President, Public Affairs, at (507) 437-5345. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Shelly Kroc, Consumer Affairs, at (800) 621-3505. 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. |
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