Jerome Foods Turkey Breast Roast Recalled for Underprocessing

Washington, March 23, 1998 -- Jerome Foods, a Barron, Wisc., food processing firm, is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 pounds of "The Turkey Store" brand "Turkey Breast Roast," because some of the product may have been underprocessed, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today.

The turkey breast roast was distributed primarily to food stores in the greater Minneapolis area, with a small amount also distributed to Madison and Stevens Point, Wisc., Central Islip, N.Y., Houston, and Cleveland.

Two varieties of "The Turkey Store Premium Cooked Turkey Breast Roast" are being recalled, "Oven Roasted" and "Rotisserie Flavor." The "Oven Roasted" variety being recalled has the code "84551" followed by the "Sell-by" date of "05-08-98," "05-09-98," or "05-10-98." The "Rotisserie Flavor" being recalled has the code "84553" followed by the same "Sell-by" dates: "05-08-98," "05-09-98," or "05-10-98." "EST. P-190" appears inside the USDA inspection seal on the product label. No other product is affected by the recall.

"Because of the potential foodborne illness hazard, we urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product to return it to the place of purchase," said Thomas J. Billy, administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The problem was discovered when a company sales representative noticed some product going to stores appeared undercooked.

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.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov/fsis

NOTE TO EDITORS: To help consumers identify the product, the company has provided the following toll-free consumer inquiry number: 800-621-3505. The number can be called from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Central Time Mondays through Fridays, and 6:00 am until Noon on Saturdays.

Media inquiries to the company should be directed to Gregg Gleichert at 715-537-9695.