WASHINGTON, July 19, 2002 – Russer Foods, a
Buffalo, N.Y., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 65
pounds of fresh, ready-to-eat braunschweiger 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 8-oz.
vacuum-packed bags of "RUSSER NATURAL CASING BRAUNSCHWEIGER NONFAT DRY MILK
ADDED." Each package bears the sell-by date "Sell By: Aug 18 A" and the
establishment code "EST. 5222" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The product was produced on June 29 and
distributed to retail stores in Ohio.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall,
acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators and
freezers for this product and return it to the point of purchase."
The problem was discovered through
microbiological testing conducted by Russer Foods.
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
Gary Mickelson, public relations, Russer Foods, at (605) 235-2986. Consumers
with questions about the recall may contact Bruce Neumann, director of
quality assurance/food safety, Russer Foods, at (877) 427-6328.
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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