WASHINGTON, July 23, 2003—San Antonio Packing
Company, a San Antonio, Texas, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately
438 pounds of head cheese that contains an undeclared ingredient (sodium
nitrite), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection
Service announced today.
The products being recalled are 4-8 oz. packages
of “APCO Brand Meats HEAD CHEESE,” bearing the package date “5/05/03” or
“6/09/03.” Each package also bears the establishment code “EST. 602” inside
the USDA seal of inspection.
The products were produced on May 3, 2003, and
June 7, 2003, and distributed to retail stores in Texas.
The products contain sodium nitrite, but the
product label does not list sodium nitrite as an ingredient.
The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector
during a routine label inspection.
Consumers and media with questions about the
recall may contact Robert Castaneda, plant manager, at (210) 224-5441.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone
the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline
is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are
available 24 hours a day.
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