WASHINGTON, August 14, 2002– Famous Amos Restaurants Inc., a Jacksonville,
Fla., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 19 pounds of
fully cooked sliced corned beef 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 20-ounce
packages of, "SLICED COOKED CORNED BEEF." Each package bears the
establishment code, "EST. 11170." Also on each label is the date code, "A8
6."
The product was sliced and packaged on Aug. 6 and
distributed to Famous Amos Restaurants in Duvall, Clay and Nassau counties,
Florida.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall,
acting FSIS administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if meals made with corned
beef contain the recalled product."
The problem was discovered through routine
microbiological sampling by FSIS.
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 such as
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 and consumers with questions about the
recall may contact Kenny Rigdon, company president, at (904) 731-3396.
Consumers with other food safety questions can
phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. 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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