Arkansas Firm Recalls Ready-To-Cook Chicken Breasts For Undeclared Allergens And Incorrect Labels

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2002 – Simmons Foods, Inc., a Van Buren, Ark., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 154,300 pounds of ready-to-cook boneless chicken breasts with rib meat that contain undeclared allergens (whey, buttermilk, and skim milk) in the breading, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Whey, buttermilk, and skim milk are known allergens. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to these ingredients run the risk of possible allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The following products subject to recall were distributed to institutional establishments in New York:

• 10 pound cases of "BERTUCCI’S READY TO COOK BREADED BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT" with the case code "51535." Each case bears a label containing the establishment code "P-5837" located inside the USDA seal of inspection and a date code that begins between "2079VBR" and "2158VBR."

The following products subject to recall were distributed to institutional establishments in Minnesota and from the company’s retail store in Arkansas, located at #5 Main Street in Van Buren:

• 15 pound cases of "Blue Ribbon READY TO COOK BREADED BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT" with the case code "60029." Each case bears a label containing the establishment code "P-5837" located inside the USDA seal of inspection and a date code that begins between "2079VBR" and "2158VBR."

"We want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Linda Swacina, acting FSIS administrator. "People with sensitivities to whey, buttermilk, and skim milk may wish to check if their meals contain the recalled product."

The problem was discovered through a routine formulation verification check by Simmons Foods, Inc. and reported to FSIS.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jerry Laster, Simmons Foods’ vice president of marketing, at (479) 524-8151; extension 507.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. Hotline services are 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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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.