001029 Hot Dogs Recalled From South

Knoxville, TN - About 48,000 pounds of hot dogs produced by the Lay Packing Co. in Knoxville have been voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination from a bacteria that causes listeriosis.

The recall involves five brands produced on July 24 and distributed to retailers in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we urge consumers not to eat the wiener products but return them to the point of purchase,” said Thomas J. Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service administrator.

The agency, which announced the recall Tuesday, said it had received no reports of illnesses, but encouraged concerned consumers to call their doctor.

Listeriosis is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease with symptoms including high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea, the USDA said.

The illness can cause miscarriages and serious infections in those with weak immune systems - infants, the elderly, persons with chronic disease, HIV infection or taking chemotherapy.

The Lay products subject to recall are:

- Jubilee Franks in 12-ounce packages coded “Sell by Oct 06.”

- Frosty Morn wieners in 12-ounce packages coded “Sell by Oct 06.”

- Lay's Quik Starts wieners in 12-ounce packages coded “Sell by Sep 26.”

- Lay's Thrift Brand wieners in 24-ounce packages coded “Sell by Sep 26.”

- Lay Packing Co. Circle L wieners in 24-ounce packages coded “Sell by Sep 26.”

The expiration dates also serve as the product lot number. All affected products bear the Lay Packing establishment number P-967.

The presence of the listeria monocytogenes bacteria was discovered during a sampling of Lay products in retail stores by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Joe Lay, president of Lay Packing, said the company has assembled a team to monitor its packing operations, where the contamination likely occurred.

“We've been producing hot dogs for a long time and we've never had this happen before,” he said.

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