MS Establishment Recalls Sausage and Ham Products Because of Undeclared Ingredient

CLASS III RECALL
HEALTH RISK: LOW

Congressional and Public Affairs
Andrea McNally (202) 720-9113

Mississippi Establishment Recalls Sausage And Ham Products Because Of Undeclared Ingredients

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2001—Sanderson Farms Inc., a Flowood, Miss., establishment, is voluntarily recalling frozen sausage and ham products because they may contain an undeclared ingredient (monosodium glutamate or MSG), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall were distributed to retail and institutional establishments nationwide, and bear the establishment number "EST. 1600" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The retail product identifiable to consumers is "Sanderson Farms SAUSAGE AND HAM (WATER ADDED) JAMBALAYA WITH RICE" packaged in 2.25-pound packages containing oven microwaveable trays.

This retail product was produced on various dates ranging from Aug. 13, 2001 through Sept. 19, 2001. The following packaging codes are found on the product label: "225111," "225211," "225311," "225411," "239111," "241111," "241211," "241311," "242111," "242211," "250111," "250211," "255111," "255211," "262111," "262211," "262311," "262411," or "262511."

The institutional products being recalled include all production prior to Oct. 19, 2001.

"We urge consumers, especially those with known sensitivities to MSG, to check their refrigerators and freezers," said Thomas J. Billy, FSIS administrator. "If they find any of the products listed above, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase. Also, diners with MSG concerns may wish to ask if their meals contain the recalled product."

The problem was discovered when Sanderson Farms received notification from their supplier advising them that sausage the company used for further processing may contain MSG, which was not declared on the sausage ingredient statement.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Lampkin Butts, Sanderson Farms’ vice president of sales, at (601) 649-4030. Media with questions may contact Mike Cockerall, Sanderson Farms’ chief financial officer, at (601) 649-4030.

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.

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.

Recall Release FSIS-RC-01-062

Mississippi Establishment Recalls Sausage And Ham Products Because Of Undeclared Ingredients

Recall Release
FSIS-RC-01-062