WASHINGTON, October 31, 2005 – Chefs’ Delight Packing Co., Inc., a Brooklyn, N.Y., firm is voluntarily recalling 2,263 pounds of ready- to-eat 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:

* Various sized bulk packages of “CHEFS’ DELIGHT, N.Y. Deli Style, COOKED CORNED BEEF.” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 4395” inside the USDA seal of inspection.
* Various sized bulk packages of “CHEFS’ DELIGHT, N.Y. Deli Style, PASTRAMI, SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED, COATED WITH SPICES & BURNT SUGAR.”
Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 4395” inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The beef products were produced on October 12 and bulk packed for distribution to restaurants and delicatessens in Indianapolis, Indiana, and throughout the greater New York City area.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the products.
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 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 weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact company Vice President Doug Karroll at (718) 388-8581.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) 674-6854. The hotline 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.
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-045-2005 HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen