Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Bologna For Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2004 Charles T. Heard & Co., a Bangor, Pa., firm, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 100 pounds of ready-to-eat, fully
cooked, bologna that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,
the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) announced today.
The products subject to recall are approximately
1 ¾ lb. packages of "RING BOLOGNA, WITH VARIETY MEATS." Each package bears
the establishment number "EST. 9563" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The products were produced on March 31, 2004.
They were distributed to two retail stores in Roseta and Wind Gap, Pa., as
well as the companys retail counter at 501 South Main Street in Bangor.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses
associated with consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
The problem was discovered by the company.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal
disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, 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.
Media and consumers with questions about the
recall may contact Keith Heard, company owner, at 610-588-1195.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone
the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. 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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