WASHINGTON, March 16, 2004 – Four Star Meat Products Co. Inc., a Forest Park, Ga., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 713 pounds of fully cooked boneless hams that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall are vacuum sealed packages of "SLICED HAM, WATER ADDED" shipped in 7 pound boxes. Each box is marked with the box code 30804 and bears the establishment number "EST 8099" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The product was produced on March 8, 2004 and was shipped to a warehouse in Chattanooga, Tenn. According to the company, all of the product is being held at that location.

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. However, 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.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Patrick Booth, company owner, at 404-361-3880.

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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