WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2002—Mosby
Packing Co., Inc., a Meridian, Miss., firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 500 pounds of fully cooked, ready-to-eat souse products that
may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The following products subject to recall have a sell-by date of
"1/21/03." Each label also bears "EST. 12653" inside the USDA seal of
inspection:
- 6-ounce packages of "MOSBY’S SLICED HOT SOUSE," and
- 6-ounce packages of "MOSBY’S SLICED MILD SOUSE."
The following products subject to recall are packed two to a box and bear
a product code of either "00181, " "00182" or "00184" and a julian date of
"326" on each box. Each package label bears "EST. 12653" inside the USDA
seal of inspection.
- 6-pound loaves of "MOSBY’S HOT SOUSE,"
- 6-pound loaves of "MOSBY’S MILD SOUSE," and
- 6-pound loaves of "MOSBY’S HOT AND MILD SOUSE."
The souse products were produced on Nov. 21, and distributed to retail
stores in Mississippi.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be
aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.
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 J.W. Myers, personnel
manager, at 601-485-5615. Consumers with questions about the recall may
contact Donnie Clearman, sales manager, at 601-485-5615.
Consumers with 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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