Congressional and Public Affairs
Andrea McNally (202) 720-9113
FSIS-RC-035-2002

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2002 – Momence Packing Company, a Momence, Ill., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,300 pounds of fresh bratwurst that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are 1.24 pound trays of "VILLAGE MARKET BRATWURST." Each package bears a code "9AEJA" or "9BEJA" as well as the establishment code "EST. 1647" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The bratwurst was produced on March 5 and distributed to retail stores nationwide.

"Because of the potential for injury, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said William Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "Consumers who have concerns about the product are urged not to eat it and to return it to the place of purchase."

Momence Packing Company notified FSIS after receiving a customer complaint.

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

Media with questions about the recall may contact Harry Cherkinian, company spokesperson with Zigman, Joseph, Stephenson at (414) 273-4680. Consumers with questions may contact Jitendra Shah, quality assurance manager with Momence Packing Company at (815) 472-6485.

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.

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

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.