Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
April Demert

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2004—Plumrose USA, Inc, a Booneville, Miss., firm is voluntarily recalling approximately 94,800 pounds of roast beef because of undeclared allergens (wheat and soy protein), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are:

• "SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI, SLICED & FULLY COOKED, ROAST BEEF" in 8 oz. vacuum sealed packages. The packages subject to recall are stamped with "Best By" dates of May 14, 2004 or earlier.
• "SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI, SLICED & FULLY COOKED, CHOICE ANGUS ROAST BEEF" in 14 oz. vacuum sealed packages. The packages subject to recall are stamped with "Best By" dates of April 18, 2004 or earlier.
• "Danola Supreme, Angus Roast Beef" in 8 oz. vacuum sealed packages. The packages subject to recall are stamped with "Best By" dates of May 2, 2004 or earlier.

All of the packages bear the establishment number "EST. 26A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced between October 1, 2003 and March 12, 2004. They were distributed to retail stores in California and Oregon.

Consumers who are allergic to wheat or soy protein should not eat this product, but return it to the point of purchase.

FSIS has received no reports of allergic reactions associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction should contact a physician.

The problem was discovered by FSIS.

Media with questions about the recall should contact Mike Rozzano, company senior vice president and general manager, at 616-863-8489. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Tami Minutillo, customer service, at 800-526-4909.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

FOOD ALLERGIES

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline or visit www.fsis.usda.gov

Consumers who have a food allergy or severe food sensitivity should always read ingredient labels. In restaurants they should ask whether an allergy-causing ingredient is in the food.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food, usually within minutes after the food has been consumed.

Symptoms may include throat swelling, breathing trouble or a rash.

Strictly avoiding the allergy-causing food is the only absolute way to avoid a reaction.

Several foods account for 90% of allergic reactions. They include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

Persons who have a severe, life-threatening food allergy should always carry, and know how to administer, prescription epinephrine.

Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.

Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.