Food Items

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Blooming Import Company, Inc. has recalled Golden Lion Dried Melon Seeds because the product contains undeclared sulfites.

The product was sold in 12-ounce plastic packages and was mainly distributed throughout the Metropolitan New York City area.

People who have allergies to sulfites, and asthmatics run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. If you have purchased the product, you should return it to the place of purchase. (12-28-00)

WASHINGTON -- Cargill Turkey Products is voluntarily recalling approximately 16.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat turkey and chicken products, produced at its facility in Waco, Texas, that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The products subject to recall were distributed to retail establishments, restaurants and institutions nationwide and exported to Venezuela and Iceland. The products subject to recall were produced from May 1 to December 11 and are marked with the establishment number "P-635."

The sliced products that consumers may have purchased at retail are:

• Owen's Hickory Smoked Pre-Sliced Turkey Breast, fresh

Plantation

• Fiesta Pre-Sliced Turkey Breast, fresh
• Mesquite Smoked Pre-Sliced Turkey Breast, fresh and frozen
• Pre-Sliced Smoke Banquet-style Turkey Breast, fresh and frozen
• Black Forest Turkey Ham, fresh
• Pre-Sliced Turkey Pastrami, fresh and frozen
• Pre-Sliced Star Turkey Breast

Riverside

• Pre-Sliced Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, fresh and frozen
• Pre-Sliced Oven Prepared Turkey Breast, frozen
• Honeysuckle White Pre-Sliced Oven Prepared Turkey, fresh and frozen

Unsliced products include:

• Dine Rite Picnic Dark Turkey, fresh and frozen
• Old South Turkey Ham, fresh
• Plantation Cajun Fried Turkey, frozen
• Honeysuckle White Cajun-Style Fried Whole Turkey, frozen

The following products may have been distributed at deli counters, restaurants or institutions:

Boar's Head

• Our Premium Low Salt Turkey, frozen
• Golden Catering Skin-on Turkey Breast, fresh
• Carmel Colored Our Premium Turkey Breast, fresh
• Our Premium Low Salt Skinless Turkey Breast, fresh
• Smoked Turkey Breast, fresh
• Oil Browned Chicken Breast, fresh
• Oven Prepared Skinless Turkey Breast, fresh
• Smoked Chicken Breast, fresh.

Other products were sold in bulk and would not be labeled at the point of purchase.

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.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Cargill Turkey Products at (888) 621- 2717, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (800) 535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m ET Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov (12-13-00)

WASHINGTON -- SUPERVALU INC., an Eden Prairie, Minn. firm, is voluntarily recalling ground beef from Cub Foods stores in Minnesota; La Crosse and Eau Claire, Wis.; and the Chicago and Indianapolis metropolitan areas that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

SUPERVALU has also advised its independent retailers to take the same action. The amount of product subject to recall is not available at this time. All fresh ground beef and unboxed frozen ground beef patties purchased at the following locations in November are affected:

• Cub Foods stores in Minnesota, La Crosse and Eau Claire, Wis. and the Chicago and Indianapolis metropolitan areas
• County Market, Montevideo, Minn.
• County Market, Winona, Minn.
• County Market, Marshall, Minn.
• Jerry's Foods, Eden Prairie, Minn.
• County Market, Prior Lake, Minn.
• Juba's SUPERVALU, Blue Earth, Minn.
• Ed's SUPERVALU, Richland Center, Wis.
• Tim's SUPERVALU, Winthrop, Minn.
• Marches SUPERVALU, Minneapolis
• Jerry's Foods, Edina, Minn.
• Kowalski's, Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.
• SUPERVALU, 98th St., Bloomington, Minn.
• County Market, Rice Lake, Wis.
• County Market, Champlin, Minn.
• Penn Lake SUPERVALU, Bloomington, Minn.
• Driskill's, Excelsior, Minn.
• Steve's SUPERVALU, St. Paul, Minn.
• Tauer's SUPERVALU, Springfield, Minn.
• Kowalski's Market, White Bear Lake, Minn.
• Bergan's SUPERVALU, Minneapolis, Minn.
• County Market, Forest Lake, Minn.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (800) 535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (12-08-00)

WASHINGTON -- Green Bay Dressed Beef Inc., a Green Bay, Wis. firm also doing business as American Foods Group, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1.1 million pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The ground beef products being recalled were produced on Nov. 2 and 3. Ground beef products for further processing were distributed to grocery stores in the following states: Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, North Carolina and Florida.

In addition, retail packages identifiable to consumers included the following:

• B BAR BRAND 100% PURE GROUND BEEF" in frozen 3-pound tubes with a sell by date of "NOV/02/01," bearing the establishment number Est. 410. This product was distributed to Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
• "KROGER GROUND BEEF 75/25", "KROGER GROUND BEEF ROUND 85/15", and "KROGER GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN 90/10" in 1.5-pound tray packages with a production code of 0308, bearing the establishment number Est. 18076. This product was distributed to Memphis, Tennessee.
• "KROGER GROUND BEEF", "KROGER GROUND CHUCK", "KROGER GROUND ROUND", and "KROGER GROUND SIRLOIN" in 1, 3, and 5-pound tubes with a sell by date of "NOV/20/00," bearing the establishment number Est. 410. This product was distributed to Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Virginia.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Sally Vande Hei with American Foods Group at (920) 436-6523.Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (800) 535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (12-08-00)

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Merex Corp. is recalling its 3 oz. trays of Bon Campo Sundried Tomatoes because they may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have allergies to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

The recalled Sundried Tomatoes were distributed to the Metro N.Y. and Syracuse area. The product comes in a clear 3 oz. plastic tray with the UPC #081517 100193 on the front label. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Consumers who have purchased 3 oz. trays of Bon Campo Sundried Tomatoes are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (800) 513-3335. (12-08-00)

WASHINGTON -- La Villa Latina Market, a retail store at 4100 S.Broadway, Los Angeles, is voluntarily recalling all ground beef produced before November 20, 2000, that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and was produced under unsanitary conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Nov.20.

The ground beef was packaged in various sizes according to customer request. Store labels on the packages may vary, however all ground beef from this establishment produced prior to Nov. 20 is subject to recall.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly pathogen that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jose Marias, store manager, La Villa Latina Market, at (323) 234-5079. Further inquiries regarding the recall or unsanitary conditions at the store should be directed to Ken August, deputy director of public affairs, California Department of Health Services, at (916) 657-3064.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) Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (11-29-00)

WASHINGTON -- H & H Meat Products Co. Inc., a Mercedes, Texas, firm also doing business as H & H Foods, is voluntarily recalling approximately 58,000 pounds of ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Nov.21.

The products subject to recall are ''HAMBURGER PATTIES 100% GROUND BEEF'' in 35 lb. boxes. Each box has a label that reads ''PACKED ON: 11/14/00'' and ''EXP. DATE: 03/14/01.'' The box bears the establishment number ''EST. 7259A'' inside the USDA seal of inspection. The ground beef was produced on Nov. 14 and distributed via a wholesale establishment to restaurants in Texas.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly pathogen that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jennifer Barractato, Hill & Knowlton Public Relations, at (800) 637-7259.

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) Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (11-29-00)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase or consume various canned soups imported from Canada because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

Consumers are not to use the products even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Les Produits Freddy Inc. (St-Hyacinthe, Quebec), a Canadian firm, has begun a voluntary recall of the products. FDA is taking this action as a result of the Canadian government's evaluation.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention. All lots on the market are under recall. However, the volume of the product's distribution is not known at this time. The soups were distributed nationwide to retail stores. They were distributed to the following stores but may have been distributed elsewhere as well.

• The Stop & Shop brand soups were sold at Stop & Shop Stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island and at Edwards Stores in New Jersey and New York.
• The Tasty Classics brand soups were sold at Hy-Vee Food and Drug Stores in Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri; in Fareway Stores in Iowa and Illinois; and in Canned Foods Grocery Outlets stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.
• The Wegmans brand soups were sold at Wegmans Stores in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
• The Baron brand soups were sold nationwide at various grocery stores.

The soups, manufactured by Les Produits Freddy Inc., are sold in 10 3/4 fl.oz. cans. All codes are affected by this recall. They can be identified by the following brand names (may not be inclusive):

Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Wegmans brand Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup
• Stop & Shop brand Condensed Soup Cream of Mushroom
• Tasty Classics brand Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup
• Baron Brand Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup


Cream of Chicken Soup
• Wegmans brand Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup
• Stop & Shop brand Condensed Soup Cream of Chicken
• Tasty Classics brand Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup
• Baron Brand Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup


Cream of Celery Soup
• Wegmans brand Cream of Celery Condensed Soup
• Stop & Shop brand Condensed Soup Cream of Celery
• Tasty Classics Cream of Celery Condensed Soup

No illnesses have been reported to date.FDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are continuing to investigate this matter.Consumers who have purchased any of the above products should not eat them, but instead return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those who have consumed these products and have experienced symptoms of botulism should seek medical attention. Consumers with questions may contact the manufacturer, Les Produits Freddy Inc., at 1-888-797-3210. (11-29-00)

SAN ANTONIO -- The H.E.Butt Grocery Co, requested Nov. 4 that customers return one UPC Code of Hill Country Fare Colby Jack Cheese Bites purchased at H-E-B Food and Drug stores throughout Texas.

This action is the result of testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and reported to H-E-B by the product manufacturer, Schreiber Foods. The manufacturer notified H-E-B Nov. 3 that Listeria monocytogenes had been found in some of the products manufactured in one of their contracted plants. There are no known cases of listeriosis associated with the consumption of Hill Country Fare cheese. H-E-B has decided to remove the product from the shelf as a precaution. All of the product has been pulled off the shelf.

H-E-B requests that the following product not be consumed. It should be returned to the store for a full refund: Hill Country Fare Colby Jack Cheese Bites sold in the packaged cheese section of the store in refrigerated cases 8 oz. Package, UPC Code 41220-51957 All Sell By Dates Included. No other Hill Country Fare Cheese Products are affected, including Jalapeņo Monterrey Jack Cheese Bites and Cheddar Cheese Bites.

Consumption of food containing Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis. Individuals at highest risk of suffering symptoms are those who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems (infants, elderly, people with chronic disease, HIV infected people, or those taking chemotherapy). Listeriosis has flu-like symptoms, such as upset stomach, fever and chills. Other symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance. The onset of symptoms ranges from a few days to three weeks from consumption. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 2,000 people in the United States report serious illness from listeriosis each year. Individuals at risk or experiencing symptoms should consult a physician. Listeriosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

The affected product was sold at all H-E-B Food and Drug stores in Texas. Pantry Foods stores, Central Market stores and Mexico stores are not affected.

Customers with questions should call the H-E-B Customer Relations phone number at (800)432-3113. (11-10-00)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Crystal Farms Refrigerated Distribution Company Inc., a subsidiary of Michael Foods, Inc., has initiated a recall of two specific cheese products to safeguard against a possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall involves stores in 33 states and is confined to only two Marble-Jack cheese stick products. To date, there have been no reports of illness related to the products subject to this recall.

The two products involved are the 1 ounce, single-serve Crystal Farms Marble-Jack Cheese Sticks (UPC 075925-30168) and the 10-ounce bag of individually wrapped Cheezoids Marble-Jack Cheese Sticks (UPC 075925-30166). Customers are asked not to consume these products and return the products to the place of purchase for a prompt and full cash refund. No other Crystal Farms products are affected by this action.

Expiration dates of Affected Crystal Farms products 1 ounce, single-serve Crystal Farms Marble-Jack Cheese Sticks UPC Code 075925-30168:

• 12/24/00
• 12/25/00
• 12/28/00
• 12/30/00
• 1/7/01
• 1/9/01
• 3/3/01
• 3/11/01
• 3/12/01

Ten-ounce bag of individually wrapped Crystal Farms Cheezoid Marble-Jack Cheese Sticks UPC Code 075925-30166:

• 12/28/00
• 1/5/01
• 3/3/01
• 3/12/01
• 3/13/01
• 3/15/01
• 3/20/01
• 3/21/01

The products subject to the recall are made with cheese from Wisconsin Hill & Valley Cheese Co-op of Cashton, Wis. The recall was initiated following notification Nov. 2 by Wisconsin Hill & Valley that its cheese products are being recalled based on possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea from listeria infection.

Consumers with questions can contact Crystal Farms' toll-free customer service number (800)268-4709. (11-10-00)