WASHINGTON, August 21, 2003—Excel Corporation, a Nebraska City, Neb., establishment doing business as Emmpak Foods, Inc., is voluntarily recalling approximately 362,890 pounds of ready-to-eat beef products because they are incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products do not contain MSG or hydrolyzed corn gluten as declared on the label. Instead, the products contain an undeclared ingredient, hydrolyzed soy protein.

The products being recalled bear the establishment code "EST. 86J" or "567" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The products were produced between May 24, 2003 and Aug. 14 2003 with freeze by dates between July 5, 2003 and Nov. 12, 2003. The products were distributed to retail stores in Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Minnesota.

The products subject to recall are:

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR MEDIUM-RARE, OVEN PREPARED BEEF TOP ROUND, WHOLE WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 14 to 20 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7191700."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR MEDIUM-RARE, OVEN PREPARED BEEF TOP ROUND, SPLIT, WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 8 to 10 lb. boxes with three individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7193040."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR MEDIUM-RARE SPECIAL TRIM, OVEN COOKED BEEF TOP ROUND ROAST, INSIDE ROUND SPLIT WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products were packaged in 8 to 10 lb. boxes with three individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7414150."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR MEDIUM-WELL SPECIAL TRIM, OVEN COOKED BEEF TOP ROUND, SPLIT INSIDE WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 16 to 20 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7522200."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR MEDIUM, COOKED BEEF TOP ROUND ROAST, CAP-OFF WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 12 to 13 lb. boxes with one individually wrapped package inside. The boxes bear the code "7556400."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR RARE, OVEN PREPARED BEEF RIBEYE, LIP-ON WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 26 to 36 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7617950."

• "PREMIUM QUALITY, EMMBER CLASSIC, DELICATESSEN MEATS, U.S.D.A SELECT Cooked Beef Rib Roast For Prime Rib, With Juices, Caramel Color Added." The products are packaged in 26 to 36 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7631710."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR RARE, OVEN ROASTED BEEF RIBEYE FOR PRIME RIB, FULLY COOKED, WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 24 to 36 lb. boxes with four individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7647500."

• "GFS, gordon food service, OUR RARE USDA CHOICE, OVEN ROASTED BEEF RIBEYE, WITH NATURAL JUICES, CARAMEL COLOR ADDED." The products are packaged in 26 to 36 lb. boxes with two individually wrapped packages inside. The boxes bear the code "7642680."

Any of the above listed products stamped with the following freeze by dates are not included in the recall: "09 22 03," "09 28 03," "11 01 03" and "11 08 03."

The problem was discovered by the company.

Consumers with questions about this recall may contact the Emmpak Consumer Hotline at (800) 266-6084. Media with questions about the recall may contact Mark Klein, Emmpak Foods public relations representative, at (952) 742-6211.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. And recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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