November 9, 2008

WASHINGTON,D.C.---R. L. Zeigler Co., Inc., a Selma, Ala., firm, is recalling approximately 28,610 pounds of hot dog 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:
12-ounce packages of "ZEIGLER WIENERS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED." Each package bears the use-by date of "Nov. 26, 2008" and the establishment number "P-9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

12-ounce packages of "VACUUM PACKED PAR-TI PUPS." Each package bears the use-by date of "Nov. 26, 2008" and the establishment number "P-9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

12-ounce packages of "ZEIGLER Original Recipe WIENERS, artificially colored." Each package bears the use-by date of "Nov. 26, 2008" and the establishment number "EST. 9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

16-ounce packages of "Zeigler Jumbo Franks." Each package bears the use-by date of "Nov. 21, 2008" and the establishment number "P-9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

12-ounce packages of "Zeigler Hot Dogs." Each package bears the use-by date of "Nov. 26, 2008" and the establishment number "P-9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

10-pound bulk boxes of "SKINLESS WIENERS, 8 WIENERS PER LB." Each box bears the package code "PK 092208A" and the establishment number "EST. 9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

10-pound bulk boxes of "SKINLESS WIENERS, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED, 10 WIENERS PER LB." Each box bears the package code "PK 092208A" and the establishment number "EST. 9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

10-pound bulk boxes of "SKINLESS WIENERS, 10 WIENERS PER LB." Each box bears the package code "PK 092208A" and the establishment number "EST. 9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

10-pound bulk boxes of "SKINLESS WIENERS, 12 WIENERS PER LB." Each box bears the package code "PK 092208A" and establishment number "EST. 9156S" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The hot dog products were produced on Sept. 22, and were sent to food service institutions and retail establishments in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The problem was discovered by the Georgia State Department of Agriculture through microbiological testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

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.

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.