NEWS RELEASE
Media Contacts: Kathy Knuth 847-646-2666
For Immediate Release
Kraft Recalls Six Breakstone's and Light N' Lively Cottage Cheese Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Northfield, IL - June 1, 2000 - Kraft Foods is voluntarily recalling one day's production of six BREAKSTONE'S and LIGHT N' LIVELY cottage cheese products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.
E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly; the condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
The six recalled products were distributed nationwide, primarily in states east of the Mississippi. The six recalled products are listed below, all with the date and plant code
06 JUN 00 W appearing on the bottom of the cup:
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) found E. coli O157:H7 in several samples from one day's production of the 16 oz. BREAKSTONE'S FREE Small Curd Fat Free Cottage Cheese. The other BREAKSTONE'S and LIGHT N' LIVELY cottage cheese products were made on the same day on the same line, so as a further precaution, the company is recalling all six products with the 06 JUN 00 W plant and date code. No other BREAKSTONE'S or LIGHT N' LIVELY products are part of the recall.
The company is cooperating fully with the FDA and the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets.
"Safety is our greatest concern. We are doing everything possible to ensure the well-being of our consumers and the integrity of our products," said Mary Kay Haben, President of the Kraft Cheese Division.
Consumers who have purchased any of the six products with the
06 JUN 00 W plant and date code should not eat them and should return the packages to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the products involved in the recall can call 1-800-433-9363 from 7:00 A.M. CDT to 10:00 P.M. CDT.
Information about the recall can also be found at the company's website at www.kraftfoods.com/special_report, beginning at 12 noon CDT on June 1.
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