BIOPHAGE PHARMA (fka BIPMF)

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Recall Of Chicken Breast Strips For Possible Listeria Contamination

Carolina Culinary Foods, a West Columbia, S.C., firm, is voluntarily expanding its Feb.18 recall of fully cooked Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich chicken breast cuts and strips that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The front of each package subject to this recall bears the establishment number "P-19676" inside the USDA mark of inspection. On the back of each package appears a "Use by" date. Products subject to recall bear a "Use by" date earlier than "28 MAY 2007." The expanded recall totals approximately 2.8 million pounds.

Only the following Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich chicken breast cuts and strips are subject to recall. The list is inclusive of products included in both the original and expanded recall actions.

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat, Southwestern Seasoned."

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled."

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Restaurant Style Breaded Chicken Breast Strips."

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Italian Style."

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat."

• 6-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken, Honey Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat."

• 12-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled."

• 12-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned."

The expanded recall is based on additional sampling initiated by Kraft Foods and conducted at a non-government laboratory. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. The chicken breast cuts and strips were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

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 weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. Consumers can also contact the McDonough County Health Department at [phone].

Online source:
http://www.emaxhealth.com/75/10113.html