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Food Items

WASHINGTON -- Newhart Foods Inc., an Allentown, Pa., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 90 pounds of chicken salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Oct. 10.

The product subject to recall is "King's Chicken Caesar Salad" in 83 ounce packages. The packages have a "SELL THRU" date of "10/07/00" on the label, and the labels also bear "P-9976" inside the USDA seal of inspection.The chicken salad was produced and packaged on Oct. 4, and distributed to retail stores in New Jersey.

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 Sandy Ericksen, technical services manager, Newhart Foods Inc., at (717) 624-4911, extension 238. 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. (10-10-00)

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is warning the public that about 7,640 pounds of barbecued chickens produced by House of Raeford Farms Inc. may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The House of Raeford has failed to comply with FSIS' request for a voluntary recall of the product, according to FSIS. FSIS is warning the public and distributors and has begun detaining the product in known locations. The product is House of Raeford brand "Fully Cooked BARBECUED CHICKEN" packaged for retail sales. The product labels bear establishment number "P-239" inside the USDA seal of inspection, and a code of "18808" also appears on the packages.The ready-to-eat, barbecued chickens were produced on Aug. 22, and distributed to North Carolina, Massachusetts and Arizona. The chickens bear packaging date codes of 237, 241, 242, 258, and 263.

Because of the potential for foodborne illness, USDA urges consumers who have purchased the suspect products not to eat them.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 food safety questions can call 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. (10-09-00)

WASHINGTON -- Leo G. Fraboni Sausage Co., a Hibbing, Minn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 240 pounds of polish sausage that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Oct. 4.

The product is "FRABONI'S FULLY COOKED POLISH SAUSAGE DELITES" in 3/4-pound packages. Each package contains eight links. The package labels bear "EST. 8997" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The sausage was packaged Sept. 26, and distributed to retail establishments within a 100 mile radius of Hibbing.

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 Don Johnson, plant manager, Leo G. Fraboni Sausage Co., at (218) 263-5074.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. ET Mondays through Fridays, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (10-04-00)

WASHINGTON -- Lay Packing Co. Inc., a Knoxville, Tenn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 48,000 pounds of wiener products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Oct. 3.

The following products are subject to recall:

• "JUBILEE FRANKS" in 12 ounce packages with a code of "Sell By Oct 06."
• "FROSTY MORN" brand wieners in 12 ounce packages with a code of "Sell By Oct 06."
• Lay's "Quik Starts" brand wieners in 12 ounce packages with a code of "Sell By Sep 26."
• Lay's "Thrift Brand" wieners in 24 ounce packages with a code of "Sell By Sep 26."
• Lay Packing Company "Circle L" brand wieners in 24 ounce packages with a code of "Sell By Sep 26."

All product labels bear the Lay Packing establishment number P-967.The wiener products were produced on July 24, and distributed to retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee.

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 illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Ferril Maddox, sales manager, Lay Packing Co. Inc., at (865) 546-2511. 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. (10-03-00)

WASHINGTON -- 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 Sept. 28.

The products subject to recall are "MIKAILIAN MEAT PRODUCTS, FRANKFURTERS" and "MIKAILIAN MEAT PRODUCTS, COCKTAIL FRANKFURTERS" in 1 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.

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 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 (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. (10-02-00)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Coborn's Inc., doing business as DBC Foods, a St. Cloud, Minn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 80 pounds of chicken salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The product subject to recall is "MIDWEST PRIDE" brand "ALL WHITE CHICKEN SALAD SPREAD" in 8-pound plastic pails. The pails have a "USE BY:" date of "03-OCT-00"on the label, and the labels also bear "P-8914" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The chicken salad was produced on Sept. 20 and distributed at the wholesale level in Minnesota.

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 not received any reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Kim Kockler, food safety dietician, Coborn's Inc., at (320) 203-6352. 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. Eastern Time Mondays through Fridays and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. (9-27-00)

NORTHFIELD, Ill. -- Kraft Foods is voluntarily recalling all Taco Bell Home Originals taco shell products sold nationwide in supermarkets and other retail grocery outlets. Tests performed by an expert independent laboratory have indicated the presence in certain samples of a variety of corn Kraft had not specified for the product and which has not been approved for use in food.

While the corn variety, known as "StarLink," has not yet been approved for use in food, at this point there appears to be no evidence of adverse health effects, the company reports.

The products being recalled are:

• Taco Bell Home Originals 12 Taco Shells
• Taco Bell Home Originals 18 Taco Shells
• Taco Bell Home Originals Taco Dinner (12 Shells, Sauce & Seasoning)

Consumers who have purchased any of these products should not eat them and should return the packages to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Consumers with questions about the products involved in the recall can call (800)433-9361 from 8 a.m. to midnight eastern time. (9-25-00)

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers Sept. 21 announced the recall of Fish Sausage in plastic casings, which is sold in 7.6 ounce packages. The product could be tainted with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism.

The product is coded on the reverse side of the package, "BEST BEFORE 06.07.2001." Anyone possessing this product is urged to discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

The product, which is packed in Hong Kong, is being recalled by Aji Ichiban LLC, an importer and retail store in New York City. According to the company, the product was sold only at their 167 Hester Street retail store. Placards alerting customers of this matter have been posted at the store in both English and Chinese. New York State Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors are evaluating other codes and package sizes of the product.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with this product according to officials.

Symptoms of botulism, which can be fatal, include blurred or double vision, general weakness, poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory distress. Symptoms usually appear between 12 and 36 hours after ingestion, but may take several days. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. (9-21-00)

Fort Worth, Texas -- Mrs. Crockett's Kitchens Inc. is recalling various potato salad products packaged under a variety of labels. They may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Only potato salad products with expiration dates from Oct. 3 to Oct. 25 are affected by this recall. The company says it has not received any complaints or reports of illness associated with the products.

Affected products are:

• Ben E. Keith Brand/all potato salads (Southwest U.S.);
• Block & Barrel Red Royal Potato Salad (Southeast, Northeast, Midwest U.S.);
• Brookshire Brothers Gourmet Potato Salad with Egg, Mustard Potato Salad, Deli Mustard Potato Salad (east Texas and Louisiana);
• Deli Fresh/all potato salads (Texas and Louisiana);
• Deli Mates/Diced Potato Salad, Mustard Potato Salad, 2-pound containers only (Save-A-Lot stores in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma);
• GFS Southern Potato Salad, Red Potato Salad with Herbs, Chunky Red Potato Salad (North Central U.S.);
• Hill Country Fare/all potato salads with expiration dates of Oct. 3 through Oct. 13 only (Texas and Mexico);
• Kitchen Café potato salads (Southeast and Southwest U.S.);
• Mrs. Crockett's Kitchens/Mr. Ghatti's potato salad products (Southwest U.S.);
• Mrs. Crockett's Kitchens/Piccadilly Potato Salad (some locations Southeast U.S.);
• Mrs. Crockett's Kitchens/Wendy's Red Bliss Potato Salad and Southern Potato Salad (some locations nationally);
• Mrs. Crockett's Kitchens-brand potato salads (37 U.S. states and Mexico);
• Orval Kent Red Royale Potato Salad and Classic Potato Salad, 5-pound containers only (retail delis, Mid-Atlantic U.S. and food service east of the Rockies only);
• Orval Kent Three Potato Salad (retail delis, Mid-Atlantic U.S. and food service east of the Rockies only);
• Remarkable/potato salads (Texas);
• Schnucks Mustard Potato Salad, Mayo Potato Salad, Red Potato Salad (Midwest);
• Signature Brand/Natural Potato and Herb (east of the Rockies);
• Simply Delicious/all potato salads (37 U.S. states and Mexico);
• Sysco Brand Diced Mustard Potato Salad, Choice Potato Salad (Virginia, east of Richmond).

At the retail level, the potato salads were packed in portion-pak and in 1-, 2- and 3-pound plastic containers. Listeria Monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious or sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Also, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.Consumers are asked to either dispose of the potato salad or return it to the retailer where purchased. For more information, call toll-free (888) 578-7707. (9-21-00)

GRETNA, La. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Sept. 19 that Zataran's, Inc. is recalling various Zataran's brand Rice Mixes because the product is contaminated with pieces of about 25 gauge wire ranging from 7 to 12 mm in length.

Zataran's brand Rice Mixes being recalled are:

• Jambalaya with codes 8C, 9C, 10C, 13C, 14C;
• Dirty Rice with codes 9C, 10C, 13C, 14C;
• Spanish Rice with codes 25B and 29B;
• Black Beans and Rice with code 25B;
• Red Beans and Rice with codes 25B, 29B, 1C, 2C, 3C;
• Yellow Rice with codes 29B, 1C, 14C;
• Gravy and Rice with code 2C;
• Long Grain Rice And Wild Rice with code 1C;
• Chicken Flavored Rice with codes 2C, 3C, 8C;
• and Black-Eyed Peas and Rice with codes 2C and 3C.

The products were distributed nationwide and in Canada.

Questions concerning this recall may be directed to the FDA at (888) INFO-FDA. (9-19-00)