Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 25, 1990 TAG: 9004250400
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: DEBORAH EVANS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Randy Earle, president of Mrs. Giles Country Kitchens, said the company also temporarily closed its facilities after listeria bacteria was found in samples during routine quality assurance tests Monday.
Listeria is not harmful to healthy people, but can cause miscarriages, Earle said. The bacteria also is dangerous to those with weak immune systems, infants and the elderly. Listeria causes flu-like symptoms, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
The recall includes 13,900 pounds of Mrs. Giles and Mrs. Kinsers chicken salad, and 5,700 pounds of "Old Fashion Potato Salad" marketed under the Giles/Kinser label. The "use by" date on the products is May 23 or 0523, Earle said.
Only 99 pounds of the chicken salad were shipped to Roanoke and none of the potato salad, he said.
Earle said he has no idea how the contamination occurred.
The company, which already was planning to move into new facilities across the street from its current location, decided to close until Monday to sanitize equipment that may be used in the new building, he said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were notified of the company's recall, Earle said.
Customers who already have purchased the salads can return them to stores for full refunds, he said.
by CNB