08/22/08

KENTUCKY FIRM RECALLS FROZEN STUFFED PEPPERONI

PIZZA SANDWICH PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN FOREIGN MATERIALS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2008 – Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, a Mt. Sterling, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 215,660 pounds of frozen stuffed pepperoni pizza sandwich products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 54-ounce, 12-pack cartons of “HOT POCKETS PEPPERONI PIZZA” brand stuffed sandwiches. Printed on the side of each carton is “8157544614D,” “EST 7721A,” and “BEST BEFORE JAN2010.” Each carton bears the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on June 5 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints. FSIS has not received any consumer complaints or reports of injury at this time. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of the products should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall should contact Company Marketing Communications Manager Roz O’Hearn at (440) 264-5170. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 350-5016.

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.

NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS’ Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.