Ball Park Recall Widened

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 1997-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the expansion of a July 30, 1997, voluntary recall by Hygrade Food Products, a Detroit meat processing firm, of its Ball Park Fat Free Franks that may contain milk protein not listed on the ingredient statement. Milk protein can cause serious reactions in persons allergic to milk products.

All 14-ounce packages of "Ball Park Fat Free Franks, Smoke Flavoring Added," with a sell-by code date beginning with July 16, 1997 through October 1, 1997 , and with the bar code number 545393 printed on the label are being recalled.

Hygrade has determined, through further follow-through investigation for yesterday's voluntary recall, that additional Ball Park Fat Free Franks may have been manufactured with a milk protein ingredient. The July 30 recall included the sell-by dates of Sept. 03. The product was distributed to retail food stores nationwide.

"Because of the potential hazard to persons allergic to milk products, we urge consumers sensitive to milk products to avoid tasting or eating the recalled product," said Thomas J. Billy, administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. "We urge consumers sensitive to milk products who may have purchased the suspect product to return it to the place of purchase," Billy said.

USDA learned of the problem from a consumer who reported an allergic reaction by her son, who is allergic to milk products. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of milk protein not listed on the ingredient label of the product. The company said that the unlabeled ingredient was inadvertently included in the product.

Consumers with questions about the recall may 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. This number also provides access to a telecommunications device for the deaf and the hearing impaired.

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Editor's Note: to help consumers identify the product, the Hygrade Company has provided the following toll-free consumer inquiry telephone number: 1-800-247-8339. This number will be answered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through friday; a recorded message is available at other times. Media inquiries to the firm should be directed to Margaret Riley at 248-208-1904.