Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Steven Cohen

FSIS Announces Product Withdrawal For Possible Contamination

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is announcing a market withdrawal of an undetermined amount of meat and poultry products distributed between Oct. 24 through Oct. 30 by Doerle Foods Service Inc., of New Iberia, Louisiana. FSIS is concerned the product may be adulterated.

On October 24, 2002, FSIS observed evidence of rodent infestation in a freezer and rodent contamination of packages of various meat and poultry products at Doerle Foods Service. FSIS immediately initiated the detention of meat and poultry products at the facility.

On October 24, 2002, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued a Temporary Restraining Order and Notice of Hearing. The temporary restraining order (TRO) ordered the restraining, suspending and vacating of the Order of Detention issued by the USDA.

On October 29, 2002, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana ordered the dismissal of the TRO and ordered Doerle Foods Service Inc., to:

• Conduct a market place withdrawal of all meat and poultry products shipped between Oct. 24, 2002 through Oct. 30, 2002, from the freezer, and;
• Provide written notification to all consignees receiving the products that the products should be voluntarily withdrawn from distribution and returned to the subject firm.

The products being withdrawn were distributed to oil rigs, restaurants, convenience stores, nursing homes, hotels, day care centers, hospitals and detention centers in Louisiana and Texas.

No reports of illness or injury associated with the products have been received by FSIS or any firm involved.

FSIS will conduct effectiveness checks to verify that the market withdrawal and the notification of the consignees have been accomplished.

Consumers and media with questions about the market withdrawal may call Robert Ruby or Robert Woodbun at Doerle Foods at 337-367-8551.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. 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.

#

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

For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460

News and Information Page | FSIS Home Page | USDA Home Page