New Jersey firm recalls chicken wings
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2001–Watson's Quality Food Products Inc, a Blackwood, N.J. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,100 pounds of chicken wings that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The chicken wings subject to recall were produced on Jan. 9, and bear the establishment number "EST. P-1343" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The products subject to recall were distributed to institutions and retail establishments in California and Pennsylvania.
Products subject to recall include:
*"WATSON'S BUFFALO BRAND HOT CHICKEN WINGS" in 10 lb. cases with a product code of 870012 and a package code of 0091. Each 10 lb. case contains five - 2 lb. packages marked with the product name and establishment number, but no product or package code; and
*"WATSON'S READY TO EAT FIRE EATERS EXTRA HOT & SPICY CHICKEN WINGS" in 10 lb. cases with a package code of 0091. Each 10 lb. case contains five - 2 lb. packages marked with the product name and establishment number, but no package code.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of poultry products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase," said Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator. "Purchasers or consumers of chicken wings may also wish to ask restaurants or places where they consume chicken if the product or meal contains the recalled product."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. 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, with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy.
FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jeffrey Gentile, Watson's Quality Food Product's Quality Assurance Manager, at (856) 227-0594. Media with questions may contact Ray Buseman, Watson's Quality Food Product's Owner at (856) 227-0594.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.