WASHINGTON, May 2, 2002 – Advance Brands, an Orange City, Iowa firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 20,000 pounds of fully cooked, frozen chicken nuggets because they contain an undeclared allergen – milk products – and are incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Milk products are a known allergen. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk products run the risk of possible allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The products subject to recall are 12-ounce trays of "Fast Fixin’, Hot & Spicy Chicken Breast Nuggets, WHITE BREAST MEAT, FULLY COOKED." Each package bears a 12-digit date code beginning with one of the following sequences: "F1172," "F1282," "G0013," "G0051," G0063," G0174," "G0212," and "G0252." Each package also bears the establishment code "P2568" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Also subject to recall are various sized packages of "Fast Fixin’, Hot & Spicy Chicken Breast Nuggets, WHITE BREAST MEAT, FULLY COOKED." These packages do not contain a bar code or a USDA seal of inspection. However, a sticker indicating the product name, market weight and price label was affixed to the package at the store.

The chicken nuggets were produced between Dec. 17, 2001 and April 17, 2002 and distributed to retail stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Ohio and Oregon.

"Because of the potential for injury, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers who have concerns about the product are urged not to eat it and return it to the point of purchase."

Advance Brands discovered the problem and reported it to FSIS.

FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Bridget Little, marketing manager for Advance Brands at (712) 737-4829 ext. 227. Consumers with questions may contact Gina Abels, customer service specialist at (877) 447 3279.

Consumers with other 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.

FOOD ALLERGIES

Consumers who have a food allergy or severe food sensitivity should always read ingredient labels.

In restaurants, they should ask whether an allergy-causing ingredient is in the food.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food, usually within minutes after the food has been consumed.

Symptoms may include throat swelling, trouble breathing, or a rash.

Strictly avoiding the allergy-causing food is the only absolute way to avoid a reaction.

Several foods account for 90% of allergic reactions. They include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

Persons who have a severe, life-threatening food allergy should always carry, and know how to administer, prescription epinephrine.