Minnesota Company Recalls Sliced Luncheon Meats

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 1999 -- Jennie-O Foods Inc., a Willmar, Minn., poultry processing firm is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,200 pounds of sliced luncheon meats because some of the product may have been undercooked, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The products were produced at the company's Montevideo, Minn., plant.

The products involved are 12 ounce Jennie-O "Extra Lean Smoked White Turkey" sliced luncheon meat and 12 ounce Jennie-O "Extra Lean Turkey Ham" sliced luncheon meat. Both product labels bear a sell-by date of "DEC 25 99" and establishment number "P-19299" in the USDA mark of inspection.

The 12 ounce Jennie-O "Extra Lean Smoked White Turkey" sliced luncheon meat was distributed in Atlanta, Macon, and Rome, Ga., and in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The 12 ounce Jennie-O "Extra Lean Turkey Ham" sliced luncheon meat was distributed in Houston, Texas, and in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Georgia.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we urge consumers who have purchased this product not to eat it and to return it to the place of purchase," said Thomas J. Billy, FSIS administrator.

FSIS was notified by the company of the undercooked product. No illnesses associated with the consumption of this product have been reported to FSIS.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jennie-O Foods, Inc., toll-free at 1-800-850-7906. Media with questions for Jennie-O Foods, Inc., may contact Bob Wood at the same number.

Consumers with questions about food safety may phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, and recorded information is available 24 hours a day.

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