020811 New York Firm Recalls Pork Product

Washington (AP) - Russer Foods of Buffalo, NY, is recalling approximately 1,300 pounds of ready-to- eat Italian Loaf that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the Agriculture Department announced.

Bruce Neumann, a representative of the company, said in a recorded announcement at the company's toll-free number that all of the recalled meat had been accounted for and either returned or destroyed. He said none was purchased or eaten by consumers.

The recalled pork products were in cases containing vacuum-packed bags of "RUSSER ITALIAN BRAND LOAF. Each package bore the sell-by date "Sell By: OCT 30 02," and the establishment code "EST. 5222" inside the USDA seal of inspection. Each case bore the Julian date code "2142BNY0102."

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announcement said the product was produced on Aug. 1, and distributed to retail stores in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The problem was discovered through microbiological testing conducted by Russer Foods.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis, but it 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, with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy.

The government said it has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled meat.

The USDA announcement said consumers with questions about the recall may contact Neumann, director of quality assurance/food safety at Russer Foods, at 877-427-6328.

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