December 10, 2007

Allergen prompts US recall of beef and chicken base products

Custom Culinary Inc. in Oswego, Illinois is recalling approximately 990 pounds of beef and chicken base products because they may contain undeclared allergens.

The beef base product contains milk and soy, which are known allergens. Jars of the beef base product may be mislabelled as chicken base, which does not declare these allergens on the label.

The following products are subject to recall:

• Cases of 16-oz. jars of "US LOW SODIUM BEEF BASE PASTE NO MSG ADDED*." Each case bears the product codes "191806" and "30381E" and the lot code "72108122481," as well as the establishment number "EST. 2016" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
   
• 16-oz. jars of "US LOW SODIUM CHICKEN BASE PASTE NO MSG ADDED*." Each jar label bears the product codes "191805" and "10381E" as well as the establishment number "P-1278" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The lot code "72108122481" is printed on the lower side of the jar.

The beef and chicken base products were produced on April 12, 2007, and were shipped to distribution warehouses in California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. These products were intended for foodservice and restaurant use and are not expected to be available for purchase in retail establishments.

The problem was reported to the company by a customer. The Food Safety and Inspection Service so far has not received reports of illness due to consumption of these products.