WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2001– Louis Rich Inc.,
a Davenport, Iowa, establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately
11,800 pounds of turkey ham products that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service announced today.
The products subject to recall are:
- "LOUIS RICH 95% Fat Free TURKEY HAM CURED TURKEY THIGH
MEAT" in 8 oz. packages. A date code of "EA NOV 10
P-2310" is marked on the upper right corner of each package. This
product was distributed to retail establishments nationwide and
exported to Aruba, Bermuda, and Panama. The product was also
distributed to domestic U.S. military commissaries.
- "LOUIS RICH 50% Less Fat Smoked CHOPPED TURKEY HAM CURED TURKEY
THIGH MEAT CHOPPED & FORMED" in 8 oz. packages. A date code
of "EA OCT 31T P-2310" is marked on the upper right corner
of each package. This product was distributed to retail establishments
nationwide and in Puerto Rico.
These products were produced on Aug. 2.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers
to be aware of the recall," said Margaret O’K. Glavin, FSIS acting
administrator. "If they find the recalled products, consumers should
not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase."
The U.S. Department of Defense notified FSIS of a positive
microbiological sample.
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,
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, 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 Kathy Knuth, senior
director, corporate affairs, Kraft Foods North America, Inc., at (847)
646-2666. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the Louis
Rich Consumer Response line at (800) 433-9363 or visit www.louisrich.com/specialreport.
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 |
LISTERIA PRECAUTIONS
People at risk for
listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should:
Reheat until steaming hot the following
types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry
sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can
help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat
them.
Wash hands with hot, soapy water after
handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash
cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that
might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie,
Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed
cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.
Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat
foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.
Observe all expiration dates for
perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat. |