WASHINGTON, July 23, 2003—San Antonio Packing Company, a San Antonio, Texas, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 438 pounds of head cheese that contains an undeclared ingredient (sodium nitrite), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are 4-8 oz. packages of “APCO Brand Meats HEAD CHEESE,” bearing the package date “5/05/03” or “6/09/03.” Each package also bears the establishment code “EST. 602” inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The products were produced on May 3, 2003, and June 7, 2003, and distributed to retail stores in Texas.

The products contain sodium nitrite, but the product label does not list sodium nitrite as an ingredient.

The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector during a routine label inspection.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Robert Castaneda, plant manager, at (210) 224-5441.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-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.

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