D'Artagnan Recalls Products For Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 1999--D'Artagnan, Inc., a Newark, N.J., firm, is voluntarily recalling all varieties and sizes of the following D'Artagnan products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today:

• Terrine of Foie Gras Natural
• Terrine of Foie Gras Sauternes
• Terrine of Goose Foie Gras
• Mousse of Foie Gras
• Mousse of Foie Gras with Truffles
• French Kisses--Prunes with Foie Gras
• Duck Galantine
• Indian Summer Pate
• Mousse Basquaise
• Mousse Basquaise, slice
• Mousse Truffee
• Mousse Peppercorn
• Quail Terrine Bacchus
• Rillettes
• Terrine Chicken Du Soleil
• Terrine Mousquetaire
• Terrine Pheasant Herbette
• Vegetable Terrine
• Venison Terrine En Croute
• Smoked Magret Duck Breast Half
• Smoked Magret Duck Breast Quarter
• Smoked Duck Wings, 4/Pk
• Pastrami of Smoked Duck Breast
• Duck Leg Confit
• Gizzards Confit
• Truffle Butter

All recalled products bear "EST#9678" or "P9678" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The recalled products were distributed nationwide, exported to Canada, and possibly distributed through Internet and catalog sales. Today's action is an expansion of the Dec. 17 and Dec. 23 recalls.

"Because of the potential of foodborne illness, we urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and to return it to the point of purchase," said Margaret Glavin, acting administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

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 headaches, 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, with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician immediately.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall or the products involved should contact Ariane Daguin, co-owner, D'Artagnan, Inc., tel. 1-800-327-8246, ext. 123.

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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NOTE: Media with questions about illnesses may the CDC press office, (404) 639-3286.

Access news releases and other information on the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov