WASHINGTON, July 25, 2003—Burgers’ Ozark Country Cured, a California, Mo., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,500 pounds of bacon products that contain an undeclared ingredient (sodium nitrite), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are approximately 1 lb. packages of “Burgers’ Smokehouse Old Fashioned Bacon Seasoning Pieces” and “Burgers’ Smokehouse Old Fashioned Bacon End Slices.” Each package bears the establishment code “EST. 1161” inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The products contain sodium nitrite, but the product label does not list sodium nitrite as an ingredient. The problem was discovered by the company.

The “Old Fashioned Bacon Seasoning Pieces” were distributed to retail stores in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. The “Old Fashioned Bacon End Slices” were distributed nationally by mail order.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact Steven Burger, company president, at (573) 796-3134.

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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