NORTHFIELD, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2007) – On February 18th, Carolina Culinary Foods (CCF), an external manufacturer for Kraft Foods, issued a recall for the Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips – Grilled, with a "Best When Used By" date of  "19 APR 2007" because of a finding of Listeria monocytogenes in a single package. Kraft responded immediately and deployed its sales organization to implement the recall.

While we have had no reports of listeriosis associated with the February 18th recall and have had no other findings of Listeria in our product, our subsequent evaluation has led us to conclude that as a precautionary measure we should expand the scope of our initial action to include all our products made at that facility.

We have advised CCF and the USDA that we are taking this voluntary action. Kraft’s most important responsibility and highest priority is consumer and product safety and we would not allow any product to be sold if we believed it posed a health or safety risk.

Effective immediately, all code dates, sizes, and flavor varieties of Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips and Cuts with a "Best When Used By" date of 28 MAY 2007 or earlier, are being removed from the marketplace.

We emphasize that this action concerns only Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips and Cuts with a "Best When Used By" date of 28 MAY 2007 or earlier, and that no other Oscar Mayer or Louis Rich products are impacted by this market action.

The specific products being removed are:

• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55720
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55721
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Restaurant Style Breaded Chicken Breast Strips
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55784
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Italian Style
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55723
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55722
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Honey Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat
  Net Wt 6oz, UPC 71871 55725
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled
  Family Size -- Net Wt 12oz, UPC 44700 02306
• Oscar Mayer Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned
  Family Size -- Net Wt 12oz, UPC 44700 02307

We ask consumers not to consume these products and call 800-308-1841 for more information.

We are taking a number of corrective actions on our Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Strips and Cuts business, to enhance and strengthen our own processing and program controls. We have a goal of always being able to assure consumers of the safety of our products, and we regret not having met that high standard in this case.

Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. For more than 100 years, we've offered consumers delicious and wholesome foods that fit the way they live. Millions of times a day, in more than 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft brands. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, consumers at home and on the go choose: Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats, DiGiorno pizzas, Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers and chips, Philadelphia cream cheese, Milka and Cote d'Or chocolates, Planters nuts, Honey Bunches of Oats cereals, Jacobs, Gevalia and Maxwell House coffees; Capri Sun, Crystal Light and Tang refreshment beverages; and a growing range of South Beach Diet and better-for-you Sensible Solution options.

Contact:
Elisabeth Wenner, Kraft Foods
847.646.4271
elisabeth.wenner@kraft.com

Back to U.S. News Releases 2007