WASHINGTON, Sept.
30, 2000–Mikailian Meat Products, Inc., a Santa Clarita, Calif., firm,
is voluntarily recalling approximately 260 pounds of frankfurters that may
be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The products
subject to recall are "MIKAILIAN MEAT PRODUCTS, FRANKFURTERS"
and "MIKAILIAN MEAT PRODUCTS, COCKTAIL FRANKFURTERS" in one
pound packages. The packages bear "EST. 4191" inside the USDA
seal of inspection.
The frankfurters
were produced on Sept. 18, packaged on Sept. 19, and distributed to retail
stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California.
"Because of
the potential for foodborne illness, we urge consumers not to eat the
frankfurters but return them to the point of purchase," said Ronald
Hicks, acting FSIS associate administrator.
The problem was
discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.
Consumption of
food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of
the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella
infections can be life-threatening, especially for infants, the frail or
elderly, and persons with chronic disease, with HIV infection, or taking
chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are
diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional
symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting that can last up to
seven days.
FSIS has received
no reports of illness 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 John Davis, manager,
Mikailian Meat Products, Inc., at (661) 257-1055.
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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