Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Products for Possible Listeria Contamination

From USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, 07/05/10

K. Heeps, Inc., an Allentown, Pa., establishment, is recalling approximately 17.5 pounds of fully cooked turkey breast products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include:

• 17.5-pound package of "K. Heeps Inc. Fully Cooked, Sliced Turkey, Boneless with Broth." The label bears the establishment number "EST. 09379A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The sliced turkey breast products were produced on June 28, 2010, and distributed to a restaurant in Reading, Pa.

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling program. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

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

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Recall Coordinator Beau Heeps at (610) 530-8010.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov. "Ask 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.