Wisconsin Firm Recalls Beef Products Because Of Incorrect Ingredient Label

WASHINGTON, August 21, 2003— Emmpak Foods, Inc., a Milwaukee, Wis., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 102,319 pounds of ready-to-eat beef products because they are incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products contain the ingredient hydrolyzed soy protein that is not declared on the label. Additionally, the products do not contain MSG and hydrolyzed corn gluten that are declared on the label.

The products being recalled bear the establishment code "EST. 567" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The products were produced between May 24, 2003 and Aug. 15, 2003 with freeze by dates between Aug. 7, 2003 and Oct. 29, 2003. The products were distributed to institutions and retail stores in Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio.

The products subject to recall are:

• "BRICKMAN’S, USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Oven Roasted Beef Top Round, Cap-Off, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED, RUBBED WITH SEASONINGS, Black Angus Beef." The products are packaged in 8 to 12 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes contain the code "84939."

• "PREMIUM QUALITY, EMMBER CLASSIC, DELICATESSEN MEATS, U.S.D.A. CHOICE, Oven Roasted Beef Top Round, Caramel Color Added." The products are packaged in 8 to 12 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes contain the code "84939-999."

• "PREMIUM QUALITY, EMMBER CLASSIC, DELICATESSEN MEATS, Cooked Beef Top Round With Juices, Caramel Color Added, Containing up to 20% solution." The products are packaged in 18 to 24 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "31930."

• "PREMIUM QUALITY, EMMBER CLASSIC, DELICATESSEN MEATS, CAP-OFF, Cooked Beef Top Round, Containing up to 20% of a solution, And Caramel Color Added." The products are packaged in 11 to 16 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "72399" or "72399-999."

• "PREMIUM QUALITY, EMMBER CLASSIC, DELICATESSEN MEATS, Cooked Beef Top Round, Caramel Color Added, Containing up to 10% solution." The products are packaged in 13 to 19 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "46909" or "46909-999."

Any of the above listed products stamped with the following freeze by dates are not included in the Safety Recalls, "10 10 03," "10 17 03" and "10 24 03."

The problem was discovered by the company.

Consumers with questions about this recall may contact the Emmpak Consumer Hotline at (800) 266-6084. Media with questions about the recall may contact Mark Klein, Emmpak Foods public relations representative, at (952) 742-6211.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline (674-6854). The hotline is available in English and Spanish and 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 AND LABELS

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555 or visit 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.