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Mississippi Firm Recalls Pre-Packaged Meal Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination Recall ReleaseCLASS I RECALLFSIS-RC-037-2009HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bryn Burkard

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2009 - Traditions, a Pearl, Miss., establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various boxed pre-packaged meal kits. The boxes contain separate portions of instant nonfat dried milk, which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Due to potential Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of the instant nonfat dried milk product on June 28, 2009. Although the nonfat dried milk product has already been recalled, as announced by FDA, the master boxes, which contain the various pre-packaged meal items, bear the USDA mark of inspection on the outside of the box.

The products subject to recall include: [View Labels]

• Boxes of "TRADITIONS MEAL SOLUTIONS" prepackaged meal kits.
• Boxes of "ILSmeals Home Meal Delivery Service" prepackaged meal kits.

The weight and ingredient, or item, statements vary on the master boxes. Each box contains approximately 2 to 12 meals. The instant nonfat dried milk products were packaged in the master shipping boxes on various dates ranging from January 28, 2008 to June 5, 2009. The final shipping containers bear the establishment number "EST. 18350" and/or "P-18350" within the USDA mark of inspection printed on the side of the box. The only component that represents a hazard is the nonfat dried milk product. The packet of nonfat dry milk should not be used or consumed. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

The pre-packaged meals were distributed nationwide to various food distributors and regional nutrition service providers. These meals were not available for consumer purchase.

The problem was first discovered when USDA found Salmonella in a dairy product and alerted FDA, resulting in the FDA investigation and subsequent recall of the nonfat dry milk product by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact company Quality Assurance Manager, Marcia Guymon, at (601) 420-8806; media inquiries should be directed to Elmer McInnis, Executive Vice President of Procurement, at (601) 664-3138.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

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. #