Congressional and Public Affairs
Matt Baun (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27, 2001 –Berns & Koppstein Foods., a New York, N.Y., import firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 578,000 pounds of imported Brazilian canned corned beef that is incorrectly labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products subject to recall were distributed to Guam:

• 12 oz. cans of "HORMEL CORNED BEEF With Natural Juices PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."

The following products subject to recall were distributed to Puerto Rico:

• 12 oz. cans of "COLOSO Corned Beef With Natural Juices PRODUCT OF BRAZIL" and 
• 12 oz. cans of "Libby’s CORNED BEEF PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."

The following product subject to recall was distributed in Baltimore, Maryland:

• "Dine Fine CORNED BEEF PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."

The following products subject to recall were distributed nationwide:

• 12 oz. cans of "Shur Fine Corned Beef PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
• 12 oz. cans of "Top Country Farms Corned Beef With Juices PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
• 12 oz. cans of "IBERIA Corned Beef IN Natural Juices PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
• 12 oz. cans of "IMPERIAL ISLE Corned Beef With Juices PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,"
• 12 oz. cans of "MIDEAST Corned Beef with juices Product of Brazil,"
• 12 oz. cans of "KEY FOOD corned beef with juices Product of Brazil," and
• 12 oz. cans of "WESTERN FAMILY Corned Beef PRODUCT OF BRAZIL."

The bottom of each can subject to recall is embossed with "BRASIL INSPECIONADO 3031 S.I.F." All of the products were produced between Jan. 5 and Dec. 27, 2001.

The products may contain edible or inedible beef by-products that are not declared on the labels.

"FSIS ensures that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled," said Ron Hicks, acting FSIS administrator. "Some of the ingredients found in these products are prohibited in the United States. We urge consumers to return these products to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered during a routine FSIS re-inspection at import. Brazilian establishment #3031 has been audited by the Brazilian government. The establishment has been de-listed by the Brazilian government and can no longer export to the United States.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jerome Breiter, spokesperson, Western Hemisphere Association for Meat Marketers, at (435) 940-9035.

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

FSIS requires that labels must be informative, truthful, and accurate.

FSIS is responsible for verifying that labels bear mandatory features and other required information in a conspicuous and legible manner.

FSIS wants to ensure that incorrectly labeled products are kept out of consumers’ hands by identifying and removing them from the marketplace as quickly and efficiently as possible.

FSIS wants consumers to be aware of the possibility of economic adulteration and have sufficient information to identify such mislabeled products and take action.

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.