020345 Hormel Subsidiary Jennie-O Recalls TurkeyMarch 18, 2002New York - Jennie-O, the turkey products subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp. said it had recalled 23,021 pounds of turkey produced at a Minnesota factory due to possible bacterial contamination. No illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported, the company said. The contamination was discovered “when a lab result from a third-party lab came back positive,” said Jennie-O spokesperson Julie Craven. Hormel is the largest turkey processor in the United States. Its shares closed down 71 cents, or about 2.5 percent, at $26.90 in New York Stock Exchange trading. Jennie-O, which is based in Willmar, Minnesota, conducted the recall “as a precautionary measure and in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” according to a company statement. The turkey had been distributed for food service and supermarket deli use in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. The company said it believes none of the products remain in distribution. The turkey was recalled due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which may produce symptoms like fever or vomiting in people with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, small children and pregnant women.
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