World Class Canapes, Inc., Recalls Ready-to-eat Chicken Products

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-025-2008	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Peggy Riek

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2008 – DBC, Inc., doing business as World Class Canapes, Inc., a Wilmington, Mass., firm, is recalling approximately 285 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 80-ounce cases of “Progressive Gourmet Buffalo Chicken Roller Sandwich,” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. P-31566” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a “SELL BY” date of “8/2/08” and Case Code of “8500WRAS.”
• 80-ounce cases of “Progressive Gourmet Chicken Caesar Roller Sandwich.” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. P-31566” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a “SELL BY” date of “8/2/08” and Case Code of “8500WRCA.”
• 80-ounce cases of “Progressive Gourmet Honey Turkey w/Baby Spinach Roller Sandwich.” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. P-31566” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a “SELL BY” date of “8/2/08” and Case Code of “8500WRTU.”

These ready-to-eat chicken products were produced on July 30, 2008, and distributed to retail establishments in Massachusetts. The products were repackaged individually for consumer purchase. Consumers that may have purchased these ready-to-eat chicken products at retail establishments between
July 31, 2008, and August 2, 2008, are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard them if found.

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 miscarriages and stillbirths, and can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Infection can spread to the nervous system, resulting in high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, confusion, and convulsions.

The problem was discovered through microbiological sampling by FSIS. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone with signs of symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a medical professional.

Media with questions about the recall should contact company Director of Culinary Operations Mark Polito, at (978) 253-6436. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Plant Manager Jim Palmariello, at (978) 253-6482.

Tags: Listeria monocytogenes, USDA Recall, Food Recall, Chicken Recall, World Class Canapes Recall