WASHINGTON, May 5, 2003 – Cangialosi's Specialty Sausage, a Greensboro, N.C., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 180 pounds of frozen, fully cooked beef sausage 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 10-lb. cases of "CANGIALOSI SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, BEEF SAUSAGE SLICED FULLY COOKED," bearing the date "APRIL 29 2003." The cases also bear the establishment code "EST. 18193" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The beef sausage was produced on April 29, and distributed to restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if their meals contain the recalled product."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

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, HIV infection or in chemotherapy.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Giacomo Cangialosi, company president, at (336) 665-5775.

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.

#