Update 10/26/13
Reser's is expanding the recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between Sept 5 and Oct 9, 2013 in the Topeka KS facility.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/recall-059-2013-release-expansion
Reser’s Fine Foods is recalling over 100,000 cases of refrigerated salads (including potato salad, cole slaw, pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, and ham salad) as well as dips due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no reported illnesses, the contamination was discovered by testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and from the USDA news release, it appears that FDA confirmed the presence of the pathogen on food contact surfaces in the manufacturing facility. The facility is located in Topeka, Kansas. Product was distributed in 27 different states.
The products were packaged under a number of brand names, and based on the package size, it appears that most of this product is destined for the food service / institutional channel. So if this is the case, there will be further handling by these foodservice providers and thus the potential for additional cross contamination issues within those operations. This is especially troublesome if these foodservice providers cater to high risk groups (elderly care facilities, etc).
FDA Recall Notice
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. Recalls Refrigerated Ready-to-Eat Products Due to Potential Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Recalls/default.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 22, 2013 - Reser’s Fine Foods of Beaverton, Oregon is recalling approximately 109,000 cases of refrigerated ready-to-eat products because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.
The recalled refrigerated ready-to-eat products were distributed nationwide and Canada.
The product is sold in retail and food service establishments. The packages will be marked with a Use-by-Date or Best By Date and followed by a plant identifier code of 20. Products affected by this recall are listed below.
NO illnesses have been reported to date.
The recalled products were manufactured at the Topeka, KS salad manufacturing facility. No other Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. manufacturing facilities are involved in this recall.
Consumers who purchased the product may take it back to the store for a refund or discard it.
For more information please contact Reser’s Fine Foods Consumer Hotline 1-888-257-7913 (8am-8pm EST) or visit the FDA website: www.fda.gov2.
Affected Products - for the complete list of affected products,
USDA Recall Notice
Kansas Firm Recalls Chicken, Ham and Beef Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Class I Recall 059-2013
Health Risk: High Oct 22, 2013
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/rc-059-2013-release
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2013 – Reser’s Fine Foods, a Topeka, Kan. establishment, is recalling approximately 22,800 pounds of chicken, ham and beef products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The company announced that these products are being recalled in conjunction with other foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A full list of products being recalled can be found on FDA’s website at www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Recalls/default.htm. Products regulated by FSIS bear the establishment number “EST. 13520” or “P-13520” inside the USDA mark of inspection and include the following:
The products were distributed to retailers and distributors in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The problem was discovered through microbiological testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A traceback investigation and follow-up testing by FDA at the facility determined there was potential cross contamination of products with Listeria monocytogenes from product contact surfaces. FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/current-recalls-and-alerts.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact the Reser’s Fine Foods Consumer Hotline at 1-888-257-7913 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time).
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 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. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Problems_With_Food_Products.
Recommendations for People At-Risk for Listeriosis:
Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.
Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.
Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot.
Do not eat refrigerated paté, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that don't need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.
Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.
Do not eat salads made in the store such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.
Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. Listeria can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40° F or lower and the freezer 0° F or lower. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator.
Topeka Capital Journal
More than 20 brands involved in Reser's recall over possible listeria contamination
http://cjonline.com/news/business/2013-10-23/more-20-brands-involved-resers-recall-over-possible-listeria-contamination
109K cases of refrigerated products affected
Posted: October 23, 2013 - 9:13am
By Sherman Smith sherman.smith@cjonline.com
Reser’s Fine Foods has recalled 109,000 cases of refrigerated products, all manufactured in Topeka, because of a threat of listeria contamination.
Some macaroni and cheese, potato salad and cole slaw products are among the items being recalled. Most of the items are side dishes, but some are dips and dessert products. A full list of the ready-to-eat products is available at http://bit.ly/1bWdCRx.
Recalled products were sold under the brand names Miller’s, Reser’s, Stonemill Kitchens, Yum, Dillon, Cross Valley Farms, Target, Block & Barrel, West Creek, Cobblestreet Market, 7-11, Chef’s Choice, Mrs. Giles, Yoder’s, Baja Cafe, Essential Everyday, Dickey’s, Safeway, Orval Kent, King Sooper, Deli Design, Mrs. Weaver’s and Sav A Lot.
The products had expiration dates from Oct. 5 to March 17, 2014. Affected items will have the number 20 as a plant code after the expiration or use by date.
The company announced the recall in a news release Tuesday after discovering the products could be contaminated.
The company said no illnesses have been reported.
The listeria organism can cause fatal infections in young children, the elderly or frail people, the news release said, though the illness can be treated with antibiotics. Healthy people may suffer fever, headaches, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea if infected. Listeria also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths if a woman is infected while pregnant.
Reser’s President Mark Reser said the recall was voluntary and the company is conducting tests and looking at plant sanitation and food handling practices.
“Food safety has been and will always be our number one priority. Your trust has built our company and we are committed to resolving this issue and maintaining that trust,” he said in a written statement.
Those who purchased affected products may take it back to the store for a refund. For more information, call Reser’s consumer hotline, (888) 257-7913, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time, or visit www.fda.gov.
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