Kansas Firm Recalls Beef Frankfurters Because Of Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON,—Farmland Foods Inc., a Wichita, Kan., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 22,400 pounds of beef frankfurters because of an undeclared allergen (milk), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The products subject to recall are:

• 10 lb. boxes of "Signature, ‘Discover the Difference,’ Beef Franks, 4/1." Each label bears the item number "55250" and the production code of either "1063" or "0913." These products were produced on April 1 and April 16, 2003, and distributed to food service institutions in Nebraska, Montana, Washington and North Dakota.

• 10 lb. boxes of "Signature, ‘Discover the Difference,’ Beef Franks, 5/1." Each label bears the item number "55251" and the production code "1223." These products were produced on May 2, 2003, and distributed to food service institutions in North Dakota and Washington.

• 10 lb. boxes of "Shamrock, Beef Franks, 6/1." Each label bears the item number "52483" and the production code "1223." These products were produced on May 2, 2003, and distributed to food service institutions in Arizona.

• 1lb. vacuum-packed packages of "Farmland, Proud to be farmer owned, Hickory Smoked, Deli Style Franks, Jumbo Beef." Each product subject to recall bears the use by date of either "Aug 3" or "Aug 10." These products were produced on either May 2 or May 6, 2003, and distributed to retail stores nationwide.

All of the products listed above bear the establishment number "EST. 717W" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Farmland Foods discovered the problem. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician

Media with questions about the recall may contact Sherlyn Manson, company director of corporate communications, at (816) 713-6230. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Sandy Gronau, company customer service representative, at (712) 263-7469.

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.

FOOD ALLERGIES

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

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, breathing trouble 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.