Fresh Foods Manufacturing Co. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Salad Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2018 Fresh Foods Manufacturing Co., a Freedom, Pa., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 8,757 pounds of ready-to-eat salad products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat salad products were produced from April 9, 2018 to April 12, 2018 and have a shelf life of four days. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• 11.5 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat CAESAR SALAD WITH CHICKEN. The product label is marked Great to Go by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18-04/16/18. The case code is 81571201542.
• 14.4 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat CHICKEN AND BACON salad. The product label is marked Great to Go by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201541.
• 14.1 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat GARDEN SALAD WITH CHICKEN. The product label is marked Great to Go by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201543.
• 13.1 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat CHEF SALAD WITH HAM, TURKEY, & HARD-BOILED EGG. The product label is marked Great to Go by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201545.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number P-40211 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The problem was discovered on April 13, 2018 when Fresh Foods Manufacturing Co., received notification from their romaine lettuce supplier that the romaine lettuce used by the establishment in the products was being recalled due to E. coli O157:H7 concerns. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 28 days (34 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Dan Donovan, Director of Corporate Communications, Fresh Food Manufacturing Co. at (412) 967-4551. For additional information about the recall, customers may visit GiantEagle.com/Product-Recall. Customers may also contact Giant Eagle Customer Care via GiantEagle.com/contact or at 1-800-553-2324. Giant Eagles Customer Care service hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.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 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.