WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2001– Que Tal? Inc., a Chicago, Ill., firm, voluntarily recalling La Morenita brand, Mexican-style meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, has identified additional areas of distribution, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

All La Morenita products bearing the plant establishment numbers "6757" or "P-6757" inside the USDA seal of inspection, are subject to recall.

The recall initiated on January 26 involved products packaged for distribution to schools in Illinois and to restaurants in North Carolina. The recall has been expanded to include products distributed in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret Glavin, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers may wish to ask if their meal contains the recalled products."

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological testing.

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 and media with questions may contact Lisa Reynoso, president of Que Tal? Inc., at (312) 666-6900.

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.

LISTERIA PRECAUTIONS

People at risk for listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should:

Reheat until steaming hot the following types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat them.

Wash hands with hot, soapy water after handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated.

Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.

Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.

Observe all expiration dates for perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat.