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Stewart's Beverages, Inc. Recalls Sodas Because of Possible Health Risk

NEWS RELEASE



Contact:  Steven Jarmon             Elena Solovyov 
          914-397-9331              Nichols Dezenhall
          Beeper 866-351-6480       202-296-0263 ext. 122
                                    Cell 202-438-5642

For Immediate Release

White Plains, NY - December 19, 2001 -- Stewart's Beverages, Inc., White Plains, NY, is recalling certain of its beverages because they have the potential to be contaminated with ammonia. At elevated concentrations, ammonia causes a burning sensation in the throat and gastritis. Ingestion of large doses of ammonia could also lead to nausea, vomiting, thirst, headache and acidosis.

The products affected bear the plant code CT571 on the bottles. This code usually appears on the shoulder of the bottle on the 12oz. and 32 oz. glass bottles and near the seam of the 16oz. barrel bottle. Dark bottles should be tipped and held towards the light for easier viewing. Continue to turn the bottle until black ink jet code is visible.

This recall affects all Stewart's flavors in the following package sizes:

12oz. glass bottle

Flavors: Birch Beer, Black Cherry, Cherries 'n Cream, Cream, Diet Orange 'n Cream, Diet Root Beer, Ginger Beer, Grape, Key Lime, Orange 'n Cream, Peach, Root Beer and Strawberries 'n Cream

16oz. glass barrel bottle

Flavors: Cherries 'n Cream, Cream, Diet Root Beer, Grape, Key Lime, Orange 'n Cream and Root Beer

32oz./quart glass bottle

Flavors: Cherries 'n Cream, Cream, Diet Root Beer, Key Lime, and Orange 'n Cream and Root Beer

These Stewart's beverages have been widely distributed in the following states:
New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington DC.

These Stewart's beverages have very limited distribution in the following states:
Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.

This voluntary recall is the result of Stewart's testing of product produced by a third party bottler, Hillside Bottling in Hillside, NJ. Stewart's has ceased production and distribution of these products at this location and is continuing its investigation as to what caused the problem. To date, there have been no reported illnesses.

Stewart's is instructing all retailers that sell these products to remove them from their shelves. Customers who have purchased these beverages with the above-mentioned code should return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the Company at 1-866 789-2787.

At Stewart's, our top priorities are to protect the health and safety of our consumers and to preserve the integrity of our products.

FDA/Website Management Staff
Web page created by smc 2001-DEC-21.