WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2003 – Tyson Foods Inc., a Vicksburg, Miss., firm is voluntarily recalling approximately 19,900 pounds of fully cooked frozen grilled chicken patties that may contain pieces of metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are approximately 14.8 pound cases of "MCCARTY FOODS, Southern Grilled, Fully Cooked, Grilled Chicken Patties–CN." Each case contains three 4.93 pound bags of chicken patties. Each case bears the establishment number "Est. P-17728" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The chicken patties were produced on September 25, 2003 and were sent to distributors in Ohio, California, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and Indiana who in turn supply the product to school districts. The products subject to recall have one of the following package codes: 2683VIC0611, 2683VIC0612, 2683VIC0613, 2683VIC0614, 2683VIC0615, 2683VIC0616, 2683VIC0617, 2683VIC0618, or 2683VIC0619.

The recall was initiated after FSIS learned of consumer complaints regarding this product. There have been no reports of injury related to this product. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of this product should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Willie Barber, consumer relations manager, at 479-290-4714. Media with questions about the recall may contact Ed Nicholson, public relations manager, at 479-290-4591.

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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