WASHINGTON, May 5, 2003– Blue Ridge Farms, Inc., a Park Forest, Ill., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 400 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are 5-lb. tubs of "Blue Ridge Farms Made Fresh Daily Cajun Chicken Salad," packed in individual cartons. Each tub and carton label has a bar code of "38419096130" and is marked "USE BY 05/28/03." Each carton and tub also bears the establishment code "P-21279" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The chicken salad was produced on April 29 and distributed to retail stores in Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and Texas.

"Because of the potential for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "Consumers should check their refrigerators for the recalled product and return it to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. 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 weak immune systems – infants, the frail or elderly and persons with chronic disease, HIV infection or in chemotherapy.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Richard Siegel, chief operating officer, at 708-748-4405. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact David Monk, vice president of sales, at 708-748-4405.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 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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