WASHINGTON, August 13, 2002—V.A.M.D., Inc.,
doing business as Harczak Sausage, a Chicago,
Ill., establishment, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 250 pounds of fully cooked
sausage that may be contaminated with
Salmonella, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection
Service announced today.
The
products subject to recall are 16-ounce,
individually vacuum-packed rings of,
"Harczak’s Sausage, Sudzuk, BOSNIAN BRAND
SAUSAGE, Made in Illinois, SMOKE FLAVORS
ADDED." Each package bears the establishment
number, "EST. 21710" inside the USDA mark of
inspection. The 16-ounce sausage rings are
packed in 50-pound cases, which bear the date
code "202142."
The
sausage was produced on August 2 and
distributed in Georgia.
"Because of the potential for foodborne
illness, we want consumers to be aware of the
recall," said William Hudnall, acting FSIS
administrator. "Consumers who have purchased
this product are urged not to eat it but to
return it to the place of purchase."
The
problem was discovered through routine FSIS
microbiological sampling.
Consumption of food contaminated with
Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of
the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella infections can be life
threatening, especially for infants, the frail
or elderly and persons with chronic disease,
with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy.
The most common manifestations of
salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps
and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional
symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and
vomiting that can last up to seven days.
FSIS
has received no reports of illness associated
with consumption of this product. Anyone
concerned about an illness should contact a
physician.
Consumers and Media with questions about the
recall may contact Aleksandar Lazic, company
vice president, at (773) 631-8400.
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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