WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2002- Special America's
BBQ Inc., an Opa Locka, Fla., establishment,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 150
pounds of fresh pork sausage products 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 approximately
one pound packages of "Special America's MR.
TANGO Cuban Brand COOKED BUTIFARRA Cured
Sausage." Each package bears the lot number
"LOT# 355," the sell-by date "SELL BY
2/20/02," and the establishment code "EST.
11179" located inside the USDA seal of
inspection.
These
products were produced on Dec. 20, 2001 and
distributed to retail stores in Miami, Fla.
"We
urge consumers to check their refrigerators
and freezers," said Margaret O'K Glavin,
acting FSIS administrator. "If they find any
of the products listed above, consumers should
not eat them, but return them to the point of
purchase."
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.
Consumers and media with questions about the
recall may Avio Presa, plant manager, Special
America's BBQ Inc., at (305) 681-5646.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone
the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at
1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached
from 10 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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