FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250-3700
Recall Release
FSIS-RC-00-060
CLASS II RECALL
HEALTH RISK: MODERATE

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Carol Blake

Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Cheese Franks
for Possible Contamination with Metal Fragments

        WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2000–Berks Packing Co., Inc., a Reading, Penn., firm, is voluntarily recalling 6,588 pounds of cheese franks that may be contaminated with metal fragments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

        The product being recalled is one-pound vacuum packages of "WEIS Quality" brand "OUR DELUXE CHEESE FRANKS." Each package bears "EST. 8782" in the USDA seal of inspection, and a code of "4 Sell By Oct. 17." The product was produced on June 20, and distributed to grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

        "We urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers," said Thomas J. Billy, FSIS administrator. "If consumers find this product, they should not eat it, but return the product to the point of purchase."

        The problem was identified after a consumer discovered metal fragments in the product.

        Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Ralph Weise, vice president of operations, Berks Packing Co., Inc., at (610) 376-7291.

        Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from l0 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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USDA RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS

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.

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