WASHINGTON, September 24, 2003–Kona Smoke House, a Bellevue, Wash., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 200 pounds of beef products 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:

• "KONA GOLD, SOFT AND DELICIOUS, TERIYAKI BEEF, Kippered Beef Steak Nuggets" in 7 oz. packages. The packages included in the recall bear a lot code of 121.
• "Las Vegas Jerkys, Etc., Kippered Beef Nuggets" in 7 oz. packages. The packages included in the recall bear a lot code of 122.

The products were produced on September 4, 2003. Each package bears the establishment number "17175" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were distributed to wholesale establishments in Las Vegas, Nevada. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

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. However, l isteriosis 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.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Kurt Stalvig, General Manager, at (206) 214-8454.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline. 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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