WASHINGTON, October 5,
2003–Berry Packing, Inc., a Crossett, Ark., firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 4,500 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and ham products that may
be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The following products distributed to retail establishments are subject
to Safety Recalls,
- "BERRY, GARLIC HOT SAUSAGE LINKS" Each vacuum package has a net weight
of approximately 20 oz. and is stamped with the code "4255"
- "BERRY, SUMMER SAUSAGE" Each vacuum package has a net weight of
approximately 10 – 14 oz. and is stamped with the code "4245"
The following product distributed to a cold storage facility is also
subject to Safety Recalls,
- "BERRY, SUGAR CURED – SMOKED HAM" with a box code of "4245"
The products were all packaged on September 26, 2003. Each package bears
the establishment number "2325" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The products were distributed to establishments in Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with
consumption of the products. Anyone concerned about an illness should
contact a physician.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can
cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people
rarely contract listeriosis. However, 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 systems – infants, the frail or elderly
and persons with chronic disease, HIV infection or in chemotherapy.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Brad
Davis, Manager, Berry Packing, Inc. at (870) 364-4856.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. 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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