Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
 Andrea McNally

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2002--Radd Dew's Bar-B-Q Pit, a Conway, S.C., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,000 pounds of barbecue pork because it contains an undeclared allergen (anchovies), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Anchovies are a known allergen. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to anchovies (a type of fish) run the risk of possible allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The products being recalled are:

• 1-pound tubs of "Radd Dew's ELECTRIC PIT COOKED PORK BARBECUE WITH BARBECUE SAUCE," distributed to retail stores in North Carolina and South Carolina.

• 10-pound tubs of "RADD DEW'S ELECTRIC Pit Cooked Pork Barbecue WITH BARBECUE SAUCE," distributed to wholesale establishments in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Each package label bears an establishment code "EST. 9088" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

“FSIS wants consumers who are sensitive to anchovies to be aware of the recall,” said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. “Consumers who are allergic to anchovies should not eat this product but return it to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Jim Dew, owner, Radd Dew's Bar-B-Q Pit, at (843) 397-7453.

Consumers with other 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

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, trouble breathing, 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.