WASHINGTON, Oct. 5,
2001 – Rymer Meat Inc., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is voluntarily
recalling approximately 5,600 pounds of frozen, cooked beef products 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
“USDA CHOICE SEASONED SHREDDED BEEF WITH ONIONS” in 10-pound boxes. The
labels bear “EST. 6972” inside the USDA seal of inspection, and one of the
following date codes: “2605101,” “2605103,” “2605104,” “2605105,” or
“2605106.”
The beef products were produced on
Sept. 21, and distributed to hotels, restaurants, and institutions in
Pennsylvania.
“Because of the potential for
foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall,” said Thomas
J. Billy, FSIS administrator. “Diners may wish to ask restaurants or
establishments where they consume beef products if their meal contains the
recalled product.”
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, sever 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, with HIV
infection, or taking chemotherapy.
FSIS has received no reports of
illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned
about an illness should contact a physician.
Media with questions about the
recall may contact Paul Conti, Rymer Meat CEO and president, at (773)
650-0505. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Harvey Yep,
Rymer Meat technical services manager at (773) 650-0518.
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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