California Firm Recalls Cured Pork Products Due To Misbranding And Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2013 – Westlake Foods, a Santa Ana, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 47,419 pounds of cured pork products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain wheat, a known allergen which is not declared on the labels.

The products subject to recall include:

• 11-lb. to 13-lb. cases of “Tay Ho Cured Pork Artificially Colored.” This product was distributed for institutional use nationwide.    
• 14-oz. packages of “Tay Ho Cured Pork Sausage With Pork Ears And Snouts.” This product was distributed for retail sales nationwide.
• 11-lb. to 13-lb. cases of “Don Café Cured Pork Meat and Binder Product Pork skin added.” This product was distributed for institutional use in the Houston, Texas area.

The products bear the establishment number “EST. 1627A” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection. They can be further identified by a case code “233001” through “213234.” All products were produced between Jan. 1, 2013, and Aug. 22, 2013. 

The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector during a routine label review. The problem is believed to have occurred due to a change in the company’s spice mix, which was not reflected on the products’ labels.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

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.

Media with questions about the recall should contact Jayce Yenson, Manager, at (714) 474-8828. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Thuy Nguyen, Secretary, at (714) 973-2286.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 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 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. For information on how to report a problem with a meat, poultry or processed egg product to FSIS at any time, visit https://ccms.fsis.usda.gov/.