Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
April Demert

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2003—San Antonio Packing Company, a San Antonio, Texas, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 438 pounds of head cheese that contains an undeclared ingredient (sodium nitrite), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. 

The products being recalled are 4-8 oz. packages of “APCO Brand Meats HEAD CHEESE,” bearing the package date “5/05/03” or “6/09/03.” Each package also bears the establishment code “EST. 602” inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The products were produced on May 3, 2003, and June 7, 2003, and distributed to retail stores in Texas.  

The products contain sodium nitrite, but the product label does not list sodium nitrite as an ingredient.

The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector during a routine label inspection.   

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Robert Castaneda, plant manager, at (210) 224-5441.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. 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 AND LABELS

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555 or visit 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.