Food Safety and Inspection Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700

News Release

Media Communications Office
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Contact: Carol Blake
Liz Lapping

New York Firm Recalls Imported Chicken Nuggets For Possible Salmonella Contamination

        WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 1999--Woodridge Meats, Inc., Woodridge, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling approximately l,800 pounds of imported chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

        The product being recalled is "OF-TOV" brand "BREADED FULLY COOKED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS" in 20-pound boxes. Each box has a sticker with the number "09.08.99" and "09.08.00" on it. "ESTABLISHMENT 108" and "PRODUCT OF ISRAEL" also appear on the label.

        The product was distributed within the New York city metropolitan area.

        "Because of the potential of foodborne illness, we urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and to return it to the place of purchase," said FSIS administrator Thomas J. Billy.

        The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

        Consumption of foods contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially for infants, the frail or elderly, and persons with chronic disease, with HIV infection, or taking chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

        At this point, FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician immediately.

        Consumers with questions about the recall may phone either Tom Reiner or Cynthia Cardamone at the plant, tel. 1-914-434-7550.

        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.

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For Further Information, Contact:

• Consumers: Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-800-535-4555 (voice); 1-800-256-7072 (TTY)

• Media: (202) 720-9113

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