WASHINGTON, June 19, 2013 Tip Top Poultry, Inc., a Rockmart, Ga., establishment is recalling approximately 18,000 pounds of mechanically separated chicken product that may contain pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following product is subject to recall:

• 250 lb. drums of Tip Top roasted mechanically separated chicken.

The product subject to recall was packaged on April 29, 2013, and was distributed to one establishment for further processing for institutional use. Cases can be identified by the case code 55252, pack date 04/29/13, and the establishment number P-17453 within the mark of inspection.

The pieces of plastic are from a washer that broke. The problem was discovered at the further processing establishment as they were using the product to formulate a soup base.

FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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

Consumers and members of the media who have questions regarding the recall can contact Laura Holder, Public Relations, at (770) 579-4289.

Consumers with food safety questions can iAsk Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov. iAsk Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 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 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET 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 FSIS' website at:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.