WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2003—Hatfield Quality Meats, a Hatfield, Pa., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 4,800 pounds of beef frankfurters because of an undeclared allergen (soy protein), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are 1 lb. vacuum sealed packages of “Lancaster BRAND, Franks.” Each package bears the use-by date code, “BEST BY JAN 07 04.” In addition, each package bears the establishment number “EST. 791” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on Oct. 14, 2003, and distributed to retails stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Consumers who are sensitive to soy protein should not eat this product, but return it to the point of purchase.

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

The problem was discovered by Hatfield Quality Meats.

Media with questions about the recall should contact David Kolesky, company Vice President for Human Resources, at (215) 368-2500, ext. 8118. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jessie Powell, company consumer affairs representative, at (215) 368-2500, ext. 8130.

Consumers with other 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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