Product
list attached.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2002 –Jack
Lambersky Poultry Company Inc., doing business as J.L. Foods Company Inc.,
a Camden, N.J., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 4.2
million pounds of fresh and frozen, ready-to-eat poultry products, mostly
turkey and chicken breasts, that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service announced today.
The products, which are listed in the attachment,
were produced between May 29 and Nov. 2 and distributed to retail stores and
institutions nationwide. Each product bears the establishment code "EST.
P-4340" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The sample that tested positive for Listeria
monocytogenes was collected on Nov. 14 as part of the continuing joint
investigation by FSIS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
into the cause of the outbreak of listeriosis that has sickened 52 people
and resulted in seven deaths in eight Northeastern states. The sample is
being further analyzed to determine whether or not it matches the outbreak
strain.
The recall is an expansion of the Nov. 2 recall
of similar products totaling 200,000 pounds. The product from the earlier
recall was determined to be contaminated with a strain of Listeria
monocytogenes that was indistinguishable from that of the outbreak
victims.
"Public health is our top priority," said Dr.
Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their
refrigerators and freezers for products involved in this recall and return
them to the point of purchase."
"I commend the work of the investigative teams
from FSIS and the CDC for their ongoing aggressive investigation into the
source of the outbreak," said Dr. Elsa Murano, undersecretary for food
safety.
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 infants, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
Consumers with questions about the recall may
contact Kenneth Martin, general manager, J.L. Foods Company Inc., at (800)
881-3250. Media with questions about the recall may contact Vince Mazzi,
sales manager, J.L. Foods Company Inc., at (800) 881-3250.
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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