WASHINGTON, July 5, 2001 -- Jim S. Market
& Locker, Inc., a Harlan, Iowa, firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 70 pounds of cooked smoked ham that may be contaminated with
Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food
Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The product subject to recall is "BONELESS HICKORY
SMOKED FULLY COOKED HAM" packaged in 4-ounce, 8-ounce, and 5-pound
packages. The packages have a product code of "P-1144" and bear
the establishment number "EST.2424" inside the USDA seal of
inspection.
The ham was sliced and packaged on June 27, and was
distributed to grocery-delivery outlets in Omaha, Neb., and Milwaukee,
Wis.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we
want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret O'K. Glavin,
FSIS acting administrator.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS
microbiological sampling.
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 system -- infants, the frail or
elderly, and persons with chronic disease, with HIV infection, or taking
chemotheraphy.
FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with
consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should
consult a physician.
Consumers or media with questions about the recall may
contact Jim Goeser, owner and president of Jim S. Market & Locker,
Inc., at 712-755-5158.
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.
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