WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2003– PRG Packing Corp., a Bronx, N.Y., establishment,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 26,400 pounds of chicken frankfurters
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 16-ounce
packages of "Sweet Meadow Farms Brand, CHICKEN FRANKFURTERS." Each label
bears the establishment code "P-5281" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
Each package also bears the sell by date, "JAN 29."
The products were produced on November 27, 2002
and distributed to wholesalers and retail stores in Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
"We want consumers to be aware of the recall so
they can check their freezers and refrigerators for these products," said
Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "If consumers find the recalled
products then they should return them to the point of purchase."
The product is being recalled based on a positive
test for Listeria monocytogenes collected by the New York Department
of Agriculture and Markets.
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 children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
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 Guillermo Gonzalez, company president, at (718) 328-0059.
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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