WASHINGTON, April 25, 2002 – John Morrell & Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 140,000 pounds of franks and hot dogs that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

All products were produced on March 5, and distributed to retail establishments nationwide. 

The following products subject to recall bear "P-2564" inside the USDA seal of inspection:

· 12-ounce packages of "FMV Serve 'N Save HOT DOGS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14,"

· 12-ounce packages of "Rath Black Hawk HOT DOGS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14,"

· 12-ounce packages of "PEYTON'S FRANKS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date code of "Sell by Jun 13," and

· 12-ounce packages of "Rodeo Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK" marked with a date code of "Sell by Jun 13."

The following products subject to recall bear "EST. 296" inside the USDA seal of inspection:

· 16-ounce packages of "TOPS Franks BUN LENGTH" marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14,"

· 16-ounce packages of "Wilson Farms BUN LENGTH Franks" marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14," and

· 10-pound boxes, each containing two 5-pound unmarked plastic bags, of "JOHN MORRELL FOODSERVICE BLACK LABEL GOURMET BEEF FRANKS" marked with a date code of "064."

Additionally, 16-ounce packages of "JOHN MORRELL BUN LENGTH Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK," bearing "P-2564" inside the USDA seal of inspection and marked with a date code of "Sell by May 14," were distributed to retail establishments nationwide and to military commissaries.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said said Linda Swacina, assistant administrator. "If they find the recalled products, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase."

The problem was reported to FSIS by John Morrell & Co.

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, sever 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 David Bartlett, vice president, Rowan & Blewitt, Inc., at (703) 234-4428.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the John Morrell & Co. consumer hotline at (800) 414-0600.

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.