Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-009-2005 HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Matt Baun
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2005 -T&L Creative Salads, a Brooklyn, N.Y., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 250 pounds of 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 approximately 5 lb. plastic containers of “T&L Creative Salads, Inc. CHICKEN SALAD.” The products also bear the code “038327” and the establishment code “EST. P-19930” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The chicken salad was produced on March 7, 2005, and distributed to retail stores in New York City.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
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 weakened immune systems including infants, elderly, and persons with chronic disease, such as HIV infection, or undergoing chemotherapy.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact company Vice President Anthony Morello, Jr., at (718) 272-6400.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). 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.
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov
Listeria Precautions
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline or visit www.fsis.usda.gov
People at risk for listeriosis and their family members or individuals preparing food for them should:
Reheat until steaming hot the following types of ready-to-eat foods: hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, fermented and dry sausage, and other deli-style meat and poultry products. Thoroughly reheating food can help kill any bacteria that might be present. If you cannot reheat these foods, do not eat them.
Wash hands with hot, soapy water after handling these types of ready-to-eat foods. (Wash for at least 20 seconds.) Also wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils. Thorough washing helps eliminate any bacteria that might get on your hands or other surfaces from food before it is reheated.
Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined or Mexican-style cheese. You can eat hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.
Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.
Observe all expiration dates for perishable items that are precooked or ready-to-eat.