WASHINGTON, September 4, 2003– Flying Foods Group, LLC, a Newark, N.J.., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 270 pounds of ready-to-eat Thai-style noodle salad containing chicken that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The product subject to recall is 14.6 oz. bowls of "STARBUCKS COFFEE, Thai-Style Noodle Salad" sold at Starbucks Coffee locations in New York City. Each bowl bears the establishment code "P-19830" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each bowl also bears a stamp that says, "MADE DAILY, ENJOY BY 8 29."

The Thai-style noodle salad was produced on August 28 and distributed to Starbucks Coffee retail stores in New York City.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing.

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 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.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Carol Norton, director of quality assurance, at

718-917-7782, ext. 112. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact James Stathakes, general manager, at 973-623-3395.

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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