WASHINGTON, August 10, 2002– Russer Foods, a Buffalo, N.Y., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,300 pounds of ready-to-eat Italian Loaf that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are cases containing vacuum-packed bags of "RUSSER ITALIAN BRAND LOAF. Each package bears the sell-by date "Sell By: OCT 30 02," and the establishment code "EST. 5222" inside the USDA seal of inspection. Each case bears the Julian date code "2142BNY0102."

The product was produced on Aug. 1, and distributed to retail stores in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for this product and return it to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered through microbiological testing conducted by Russer Foods.

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 illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Gary Mickelson, public relations, Russer Foods, at (605) 235-2986. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Bruce Neumann, director of quality assurance/food safety, Russer Foods, at (877) 427-6328.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. 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.