WASHINGTON, Jan 6, 2011 - Homestead Pasta Company, a San Francisco, Calif., establishment is recalling approximately 144,633 pounds of frozen meat and poultry tamale products because they contain an undeclared allergen, whey, which is not noted on the label. Whey is a known dairy allergen.

The products subject to recall include: 

• 8.5-lb. cases of "Garibaldi BEEF TAMALE" with each case containing 12 individual 11 oz. packages.
• 8.5-lb. cases of "Garibaldi TURKEY TAMALE" with each case containing 12 individual 11 oz. packages.
• 10.5-lb. cases of "Golden West Traditional BEEF TAMALE With Sauce in Husk" with each case containing 12 individual 14 oz. packages.
• 10.5-lb. cases of "Golden West Traditional TURKEY TAMALE With Sauce in Husk" with each case containing 12 individual 14 oz. packages.
• 18-lb. cases of "Casper HOMESTEAD PASTA COMPANY Beef Tamale" with each case containing 36 individual 8 oz. packages.
• 18-lb. cases of "Casper HOMESTEAD PASTA COMPANY Chicken Tamale" with each case containing 36 individual 8 oz. packages.

Individual packages bear the establishment number "P-4994" or "EST. 4994" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced from April 2010 until January 2011 and shipped for retail sales in California, Oregon and Washington and institutional use in California.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a label review at the establishment. FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company's customer service representative, Candace Liu, at (650) 615-0750. Media with questions about the recall should contact the company's president, Terrence Hall at the previously listed number.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.