WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2002– Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, doing business as Wampler Foods Inc., a Franconia, Pa., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 295,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ready-to-eat turkey and chicken products 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: 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED DARK, TURKEY PASTRAMI, 21132." Packed in each box are 4-lb. slabs of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY PASTRAMI, Fully Cooked, Boneless, Dark." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10/8/02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, OVEN ROASTED-BONELESS, TURKEY BREAST, WITH BROTH, SKINLESS, 11159." Packed in each box are 9-lb. bags of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY BREAST, FAT FREE." The products bear the sell-by date of either "11/4/02" or "11/5/02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/9 LB. AVG., TURKEY BREAST, SKINLESS, OVEN PREPARED, 2378305." Packed in each box are 9-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, FULLY COOKED, TURKEY BREAST, WITH BROTH." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-12-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/8 LB. AVG., TURKEY BREAST, SKIN-ON, 2378313." Packed in each box are 9-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-12-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, OVEN ROASTED, SMOKED HONEY CURED, TURKEY BREAST, 31426." Packed in each box are 5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED HONEY CURED, TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-7-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED FULLY COOKED BONELESS, TURKEY HAM*, AND 20% WATER, 80352." Packed in each box are 1.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, PREMIUM TURKEY HAM, 94% Fat Free!" The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10-22-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "RELIANCE 2/8 LBS., SMOKED TURKEY HAM, CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT WITH 17½% WATER ADDED CHOPPED AND FORMED, 2184083." Packed in each box are 7-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, SMOKED TURKEY HAM, CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT, 17.5% WATER ADDED, CHOPPED AND FORMED." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED TURKEY HAM, CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT, CHOPPED AND FORMED, 17½% WATER ADDED, 31210." Packed in each box are 6-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY HAM AND 17 ½% WATER." The products subject to recall bear the code, "MFG 2252." 

·         10-pound boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS – FULLY COOKED, CHICKEN BREAST ROLL, 14003." Packed in each box are 5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, CHICKEN BREAST ROLL." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10/22/02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q, OVEN ROASTED, BONELESS, TURKEY BREAST, 30200." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date, "11/5/02." 

·         20-lb. and 10-lb. boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS FULLY COOKED, COMBINATION TURKEY ROLL, WHITE AND DARK TURKEY WITH BROTH, 31110." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 2262." 

·         20-pound boxes of "RELIANCE 2/10 LBS., COMBO TURKEY ROLL, WHITE AND DARK TURKEY WITH BROTH, BONELESS, 1043223." Packed in each box are two 10-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, BONELESS/FULLY COOKED, TURKEY ROLL, WHITE AND DARK TURKEY WITH BROTH." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02." 

·         Various sized packages of "GOLDEN ACRE ®, TURKEY BREAST, AND WHITE TURKEY WITH BROTH, 30005." Packed in each box are 9-lb. vacuum-sealed packages of "GOLDEN ACRE, OVEN ROASTED, Turkey Breast." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "11-5-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/8-9 LB. AVG., DELI TURKEY BREAST, OIL BROWNED, SKINLESS, 3760691." Packed in each box are 8 to 9-lb. vacuum-sealed packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, FULLY COOKED, DELI TURKEY BREAST, BROWNED IN HOT OIL." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-12-02."  

·         Various size boxes of "FULLY COOKED, DELI STYLE, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, SMOKE FLAVOR ADDED, 10006." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8/13/02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED, FULLY COOKED, BONELESS, TURKEY HAM*, 12% WATER ADDED, *CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT CHUNKED AND FORMED, 18503." Packed in each box are 2-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY HAM*, AND 12% WATER, CURED TURKEY THIGH MEAT CHUNKED AND FORMED, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10/22/02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, SLICED, SKINLESS, BONELESS, OVEN ROASTED, TURKEY BREAST, WITH BROTH, 16860." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 2262." 

·         Various size boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS OVEN ROASTED, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, WITH SKIN, 31425." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH, 96% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-8-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, SKINLESS, OVEN ROASTED, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, 31424." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, FULLY COOKED, 99% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-7-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS FULLY COOKED, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, 31419." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, WITH BROTH, 98% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-7-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS FULLY COOKED, THE DELI ROAST COLLECTION, ROTISSERRIE STYLE SEASONED BREAST OF TURKEY, 31414." Packed in each box are 7-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, THE DELI ROAST COLLECTION, ROTISSERIE STYLE SEASONED, BREAST OF TURKEY, 97% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "11-08-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS OVEN ROASTED, MESQUITE SMOKED, HONEY CURED, TURKEY BREAST, 31526." Packed in each box are 9-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH, FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-7-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS FULLY COOKED, BROWN SUGAR TURKEY BREAST, 31595." Packed in each box are 8-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, BROWN SUGAR BAKED TURKEY BREAST, FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear a sell-by date of "10-7-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "SUPREME ALL NATURAL*2/7-8 LB. AVG. TURKEY BREAST, PAN ROASTED, OVEN BROWNED, 8114183." Packed in each box are 7-lb. boxes of "BLOCK & BARREL, TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "IMPERIAL 2/7-9 LB, TURKEY BREAST, SKINLESS OIL BROWNED, FULLY COOKED, 6429534." Packed in each box are 8-lb. packages of "BLOCK AND BARREL, OVEN PREPARED TURKEY BREAST BROWNED IN HOT OIL." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-8-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/8-9 LB. AVG. DELI TURKEY BREAST, OIL BROWNED, SKINLESS, 3760691." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, CLASSIC, FULLY COOKED DELI TURKEY BREAST, BROWNED IN HOT OIL." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-9-02" and "MFG 8-12-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, OVEN ROASTED BONELESS TURKEY BREAST, SKINLESS, 11159." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "Wampler Foods, TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH, FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "11-5-02" or "11-4-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, OVEN ROASTED, YOUNG TURKEYS, (WITHOUT NECK AND GIBLETS), BROWNED IN CARMEL, 16855." Packed in each box are 12.5-lb. packages of "Whole Roasted Young Turkey, TENDER MOIST." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 2252." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, SLICED, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED TURKEY BREAST, 16861." The products subject to recall bear "MFG 2262."  

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/9 LB. AVG. TURKEY BREAST, SKINLESS, OVEN PREPARED, 2378305." Packed in each box are 9-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, FULLY COOKED TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH." The products subject to recall bear "MFG 8-12-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED, TURKEY BREAST, BROWNED IN VEGETABLE OIL, 10020." Packed in each box are 6.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, OIL BROWNED TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH, 97% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date 10-21-02. 

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 1/9-11 LB. TURKEY BREAST, NATURALLY BROWNED, PAN ROASTED, 2378321." Packed in each box are 10-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "2/6 LB. AVG. KEEP REFRIGERATED, ROTISSERIE STYLE, BREAST OF TURKEY, RUBBED WITH SEASONINGS, 2527406." Packed in each box is a 7-lb. package of "BLOCK & BARREL, ROTISSERIE STYLE, BREAST OF TURKEY." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, FULLY COOKED, HONEY ROASTED, TURKEY BREAST, BROWNED WITH CARMEL COLOR, 31616." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, HONEY ROASTED TURKEY BREAST, 99% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10-8-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "SUPREME 2/5-7 LB., TURKEY BREAST, NATURALLY BROWNED, PAN ROASTED, 2378271." Packed in each box are 6.5-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, NATURALLY BROWNED, TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-13-02."  

·         Various sized packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, NO SALT ADDED, TURKEY BREAST, BONELESS OVEN ROASTED SKINLESS, 31429." Packed in each box are 7-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, TURKEY BREAST, NO SALT ADDED, FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 2252."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, OVEN ROASTED, TURKEY BREAST, BONELESS, 31406." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, Lean-Lite Deli, LITE IN SODIUM, TURKEY BREAST, FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-21-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, OVEN ROASTED, SMOKED, HONEY CURED, TURKEY BREAST, 31426." Packed in each box are 6.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED HONEY CURED, TURKEY BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10-7-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, FULLY COOKED, SMOKED WHITE TURKEY WITH BROTH, SMOKE FLAVOR ADDED, BROWNED WITH CARMEL, 30229." Packed in each box are 8.5-lb. boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, SMOKED WHITE TURKEY, 98% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-14-02."  

·         Various sized packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED TURKEY BREAST, BROWNED IN VEGETABLE OIL, 10019." Packed in each box are 8-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS, OIL BROWNED, TURKEY BREASTS, WITH BROTH, BROWNED IN VEGETABLE OIL, 97% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date of "10-18-02."  

·         Various sized boxes of "CLASSIC 2/9 LB. AVG. TURKEY BREAST, SKINLESS OVEN PREPARED, 2378305." Packed in each box are 9-lb. packages of "BLOCK & BARREL, FULLY COOKED TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH." The products subject to recall bear the code "MFG 8-12-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED, THE DELI ROAST COLLECTION, ALL NATURAL, NATURALLY PAN ROASTED BREAST OF TURKEY, 31411." Packed in each box are 7.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS DELI ROAST ALL NATURAL Breast of Turkey." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-8-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, OIL BROWNED CHICKEN BREAST, OVEN ROASTED, BROWNED IN VEGETABLE OIL, 10100." Packed in each box are 5.5-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS 98% FAT FREE OIL BROWNED CHICKEN BREAST." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-21-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "WAMPLER FOODS, BONELESS, FULLY COOKED OVEN BROWNED TURKEY BREAST, 31428." Packed in each box are 8-lb. packages of "WAMPLER FOODS OVEN BROWNED TURKEY BREAST WITH BROTH, SKIN ON, BONELESS, OVEN ROASTED, 97% FAT FREE." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-8-02." 

·         Various sized boxes of "BONELESS, SKINLESS, OIL BROWNED CHICKEN BREAST, 30293." Packed in each box are 5.5-lb. packages of "Thin Trim Chicken Breast, 98% FAT FREE, Fully Cooked." The products subject to recall bear the sell-by date "10-21-02." 

All of the products bear the establishment code "P-1351" inside the USDA seal of inspection. 

The turkey and chicken products were produced on August 14 and distributed to retail stores and other institutions nationwide.  

"We want consumers to be aware of the recall because of the potential for foodborne illness," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "Diners may also wish to ask if their meals contain the products." 

As part of a continuing outbreak investigation, FSIS collected a microbiological investigative sample at the plant on Oct. 2 that returned positive results for Listeria monocytogenes. There is no link between the recalled products and Listeria monocytogenes illnesses in Northeast states. However, FSIS is continuing its investigation. 

Since early September, FSIS investigators, working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state health officials, have been probing every possible lead in an attempt to discover the source of the illnesses.  

Overall, more than 120 illnesses and 20 deaths have been attributed to Listeria monocytogenes in eight Northeast states. The CDC has linked 43 of the cases together, accounting for seven deaths.  

To date, FSIS’ Microbial Outbreaks and Special Projects Branch (MOSPB) laboratory in Athens, Ga., has conducted almost 400 tests on products that the agency regulates.  

"More than 50 scientists at FSIS’ laboratories, regional epidemiologists, consumer safety officers, compliance officers and personnel in the field and at USDA headquarters are continuing our determined effort to find the source of this outbreak," said McKee. 

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. 

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. 

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the company’s consumer information recall hotline at (877) 260-7110. Media with questions about the recall may contact Ray Atkinson, public relations manager, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, at (540) 896-0406.  

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

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555 or visit www.fsis.usda.gov

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.