WASHINGTON, Dec. 27, 2001 –Berns &
Koppstein Foods., a New York, N.Y., import firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 578,000 pounds of imported Brazilian canned corned beef that
is incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety
and Inspection Service announced today.
The following products subject to recall were distributed to Guam:
- 12 oz. cans of "HORMEL CORNED BEEF With Natural Juices PRODUCT
OF BRAZIL."
The following products subject to recall were distributed to Puerto
Rico:
- 12 oz. cans of "COLOSO Corned Beef With Natural Juices PRODUCT
OF BRAZIL" and
- 12 oz. cans of "Libby’s CORNED BEEF PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."
The following product subject to recall was distributed in Baltimore,
Maryland:
- "Dine Fine CORNED BEEF PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."
The following products subject to recall were distributed nationwide:
- 12 oz. cans of "Shur Fine Corned Beef PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
- 12 oz. cans of "Top Country Farms Corned Beef With Juices
PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
- 12 oz. cans of "IBERIA Corned Beef IN Natural Juices PRODUCT OF
BRAZIL,"
- 12 oz. cans of "IMPERIAL ISLE Corned Beef With Juices PRODUCT
OF BRAZIL,"
- 12 oz. cans of "MIDEAST Corned Beef with juices Product of
Brazil,"
- 12 oz. cans of "KEY FOOD corned beef with juices Product of
Brazil," and
- 12 oz. cans of "WESTERN FAMILY Corned Beef PRODUCT OF
BRAZIL."
The bottom of each can subject to recall is embossed with "BRASIL
INSPECIONADO 3031 S.I.F." All of the products were produced between
Jan. 5 and Dec. 27, 2001.
The products may contain edible or inedible beef by-products that are
not declared on the labels.
"FSIS ensures that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome,
and accurately labeled," said Ron Hicks, acting FSIS administrator.
"Some of the ingredients found in these products are prohibited in
the United States. We urge consumers to return these products to the point
of purchase."
The problem was discovered during a routine FSIS re-inspection at
import. Brazilian establishment #3031 has been audited by the Brazilian
government. The establishment has been de-listed by the Brazilian
government and can no longer export to the United States.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with
consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should
contact a physician.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jerome
Breiter, spokesperson, Western Hemisphere Association for Meat Marketers,
at (435) 940-9035.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from l0
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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