Industry News - AM

Wash. state firm expands recall for whole hogs, pork products; suspends operation


By Lisa M. Keefe on 8/28/2015

Kapowsin Meats, in Graham, Wash., is recalling about 523,380 pounds of pork products that may be contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

Thursday's notice was a major expansion of an earlier recall; that first recall involved 116,262 pounds of product. The re-issued recall also updated the epidemiological information and the distribution area. 

FSIS has been conducting intensified sampling at Kapowsin Meats while the establishment took steps to address sanitary conditions at its facility after the original recall on Aug. 13. Sampling revealed positive results for Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- on Whole Hogs for Barbeque, associated pork products and throughout the establishment. FSIS has deemed sanitary improvement efforts made by the Kapowsin Meats insufficient, and the scope of this recall has been expanded to include all products associated with contaminated source material.

The establishment has voluntarily suspended operations.

The whole hogs and associated items were produced on various dates between April 18 and Aug. 26. The products subject to recall are varying weights of boxed/bagged Whole Hogs for Barbeque and varying weights of boxed/bagged fabricated pork products including various pork offal products, pork blood and pork trim.  

The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “Est. 1628” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was shipped to various individuals, retail locations, institutions, and distributors in Alaska, Oregon and Washington.        

On July 15, the Washington State Department of Health notified FSIS of an investigation of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- illnesses. Working in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FSIS determined that there is a link between whole hogs for barbeque and pork products from Kapowsin Meats and these illnesses. Traceback investigation has identified 36 case-patients who consumed whole hogs for barbeque or pork products from this establishment prior to illness onset. These illnesses are part of a larger illness investigation. Based on epidemiological evidence, 152 case-patients have been identified in Washington with illness onset dates ranging from April 25 to Aug. 12. FSIS continues to work with our public health partners on this ongoing investigation.                         

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers.


 
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