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Food Hazards in Animal Flesh and By-products from All-Creatures.org Vegan Health Articles

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From USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
03/09/10

Ruiz Foods, Inc., a Denison, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 115,700 pounds of a ready-to-eat (RTE) beef product that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of beef product contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), 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 HVP product on March 4, 2010. A recall of the beef product was warranted because the HVP ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.

The products subject to recall include:

  • 8.4 ounce boxes of "TORNADOS RANCHERO BEEF & CHEESE."

Each box contains 3 Tornados. "Est. 17523A" and code numbers "09357," "10023," "10028," "10030," "10031," or "10032" are ink jetted on the side panel. The RTE product was produced on Dec. 23, 2009, Jan. 23, 2010, Jan. 28, 2010, Jan. 30, 2010, Jan. 31, 2010, and Feb. 1, 2010.

Ruiz Foods, Inc. distributes RTE beef product nationwide to retail and food service establishments. Only those products distributed for retail sale are subject to recall. All product distributed to food service establishments undergoes a lethality treatment to kill Salmonella before consumption. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

According to FDA's March 4, 2010 release, FDA conducted an investigation after a customer of an FDA regulated firm reported finding Salmonella in the HVP ingredient. This resulted in the subsequent recall of the contaminated HVP products.

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

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company's Consumer Line at 1-800-SPANISH or 1-800-772-6474 . Media with questions regarding the recall should contact Pat Summers, Media/Public Relations Representative, at (559) 222-7100.

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.


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All-Creatures.org Health Position and Disclaimer

We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.


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