To: Health Commissioners, Environmental Health Directors, Nursing Directors, ODA Food Safety Specialist, and Other Interested Parties

Subject: Recall Announcement (ODA/ODH) 2000-31

Date: September 22, 2000

MRS. CROCKETT’S KITCHENS ISSUES PRECAUTIONARY
RECALL FOR SOME POTATO SALAD PRODUCTS

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 21, 2000) – Mrs. Crockett’s Kitchens, Inc. issued today a voluntary product recall of certain potato salad products packaged under a variety of labels. The affected products may contain Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious or sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Only potato salad products with the expiration dates from October 3 to October 25 are covered in the precautionary recall; no other Mrs. Crockett’s products are affected. The Company has received no complaints or reports of illness associated with the products and has retained an independent scientific consulting firm to conduct a complete review of the manufacturing facility. Normal production of potato salad products will be restarted soon once corrective actions are completed.

The affected products were distributed in 37 U.S. states – and, through one distributor, in Mexico – to several grocery store chains and other outlets under a variety of labels. (A complete list is attached)

At the retail level, potato salads are packed in portion-pak and in one-, two- and three-pound plastic containers with an expiration date between October 3 to October 25 under a number of brands. At the wholesale and distributor level, the recall includes certain potato salads packed in five- and ten-pound bulk containers with expiration dates between October 3 and October 25.

Consumers are asked to either dispose of the potato salad or return it to the retailer where it was purchased. Consumers who are uncertain about the source of their deli or restaurant potato salad should ask the restaurant or deli for the brand name. A complete listing of the affected products is available by calling a special consumer line at 1-888-578-7707 or by Internet website @ www.pressevent.com/recall .

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

ONLY Expiration Dates Between October 3 through October 25

Brand/Product	Distribution
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, Louisiana
Deli Fresh/all potato salads	Texas, Louisiana
Deli Mates/Diced Potato Salad, Mustard Potato Salad, 2-pound containers only	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 October 3 through October 13 only, in 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, Mexico
Orval Kent Red Royale Potato Salad and Classic Potato Salad, 5-pound containers only	Retail delis, Mid-Atlantic U.S., 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, Mexico
Sysco Brand Diced Mustard Potato Salad, Choice Potato Salad	Virginia, east of Richmond