Alabama Firm Recalls Chicken Salad For Undeclared Allergen

 WASHINGTON, July 6, 2000--Mrs. Stratton's Salads, a Birmingham, Ala., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,400 pounds of chicken salad because it contains the food coloring "F.D.&C. Yellow #5", which is undeclared on the label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

"F.D.&C. Yellow #5" food coloring is a known allergen. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to the food coloring run the risk of possible allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The product being recalled is 7 oz., 12 oz., 24 oz., and 5 lb. cups of "Mrs. Stratton's Chicken Salad." Each cup has a sell-by date of "Aug. 6," "Aug. 11," or "Aug. 12" on the bottom, and "P-395" appears inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The chicken salad was produced on June 26 and 27, and distributed to retail stores and institutions in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn., and the Florida panhandle area.

"FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the recall," said Thomas J. Billy, administrator of FSIS. "We urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers and not to eat the product if they have that allergy and return it to the point of purchase."

No illnesses associated with consumption of the product have been reported to FSIS. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician immediately.

The problem was discovered by the company, which informed FSIS.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact George Bradford at (205) 940-9640. Media with questions about the recall may contact Vance Fulkerson at (205) 940-9640.

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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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Consumers who have a food allergy or severe food sensitivity should always read ingredient labels. In restaurants, they should ask whether an allergy-causing ingredient is in the food.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food, usually within minutes after the food has been consumed.

Symptoms may include throat swelling, trouble breathing, or a rash.

Strictly avoiding the allergy-causing food is the only absolute way to avoid a reaction.

Several foods account for 90% of allergic reactions. They include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

Persons who have a severe, life-threatening food allergy should always carry, and know how to administer, prescription epinephrine.